Federation Star - December 2022

Jane Schiff named Southwest Florida Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year

ane Schiff, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Board Chairperson, was recognized as Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year at Collier Community Foundation’s ENPY (Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly) awards Oct. 18.

She was selected from a record number of nominations for the Community Foundation’s annual awards, which have been recognizing nonprofi ts and nonprofit leaders throughout Southwest Florida for six years. A panel of impartial, non-local judges selected three finalists and winners in 12 categories from the nominees.

For our members and peers who have worked with her, this well-deserved honor comes as no surprise. In fact, the recognition of her by the community beyond the Federation was long overdue.

“Throughout her life, Jane has been involved in local and national Jewish communities as a donor, participant and volunteer wherever she has lived,” said Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. “Since joining our Federation, Jane has excelled as a board leader by engaging different groups to work together for the community and provide activities and services that people want to be a part of, creating a sense of belonging.”

Professionally, Schiff owned successful beauty supply businesses, one of which was purchased by a national company. She invented and patented an artificial nail tip, then manufactured it. Following a family tragedy in 2001, she focused all her energies on nonprofit endeavors.

From 1994 to 2013, before moving to Naples from Atlanta, she volunteered in many ways for many organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Temple Emanu-El, the William Breman Jewish Museum and Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Throughout her nonprofit service, she has proven to be an effective fundraiser, including raising approximately $3 million for renovations at her synagogue in Atlanta. Schiff also served on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, after having served as a community representative board member, vice chair and treasurer and, most recently, vice chair and fundraising chair. The council is a national community relations network hub of Jewish councils and agencies to advocate for a just and

pluralistic American society, Israel’s quest for peace and security, and human rights around the world. She is on the board of Jewish Federations of North America, which is among the top 10 charities in the world, supporting social welfare, social services and educational needs.

Schiff became involved with our Federation after moving to Naples, becoming a board member in 2014, serving as vice chair from 2016-2017 and serving as the board chairperson since 2017. She is a member of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, with a mission to promote and enhance the relationships between the Jewish community and the general community of Greater Naples, particularly through activities that promote religious freedom, separation of church and state, and social justice issues.

During her tenure, Schiff helped lead the planning and construction of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, which began in 2017 with a needs assessment study through Brandeis University. Site location, design and permitting took several years, with construction beginning in late 2021. Through the entire process, she was involved in all major decisions and, while she is not involved in the day-today process of the center’s construction, you can find Schiff onsite two to three times a week.

In addition to securing lead gifts and other funding for the $10.5 million center, with a $4.5 million endowment, she has helped Federation increase its annual community campaign to meet the needs

by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Inspiring Women Honorees Collier/Lee Hadassah celebrates the 2023 Inspiring Women from Collier and Lee Counties.

Catholic Jewish Dialogue season programs

By Marty Gauthier, Co-Chair

You are invited to the following programs to be presented by the Catholic Jewish Dialogue, a subcommittee of the JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples:

2022-23

Book

Two

Fabulous Events in December

Eleanor Reissa “The Letters Project: A Daughter’s Journey”

Sponsored by Ginsberg Eye Ophthalmology and Beth Tikvah

Imagine, after your mother’s death, you discover a wad of papers in an old purse — courtship letters written in German by her father to her mother. Fast-forward 30 years to finally have them translated. Savor the resulting unimaginable adventure into the past, to relive through these 56 missives her parents’ incredible story. She learns how her father fought to stay alive in Auschwitz and on the Death March, while her mother suffered through the war years in Uzbekistan. “The Letters Project: A Daughter’s Journey” will become your journey too as author Eleanor Reissa comes to the Festival at 7 p.m., Dec. 5, at Beth Tikvah and via Zoom.

Monday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. • in

person and virtual

Jen Spyra “Big Time”

Sponsored by Jewish National Fund-USA

We do not often select a collection of stories for a Festival event, but this exception will stun you. Dive into a culture seeming to be beyond parody and be prepared to laugh as the author flashes it in front of a funhouse mirror. You’ll plunge into a world of prehistoric influencers, woodland creatures plagued by millennial neuroses, and an all-out birthday bash intent on becoming the most lavish celebration of all time. A staff writer for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” author Jen Spyra was also a senior writer for The Onion. Now she comes to Naples to present “Big Time,” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15, via Zoom. Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. • virtual

the Vatican, Camp David and all over the globe, where he worked a lifetime of dialogue. The book is available on Amazon.

“Sin,

Restitution and Guilt”

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2:30 p.m.

Presenters are Rabbi Mark Gross of JCMI and Fr. George Ratzmann of St. William.

Location: Pulte Family Life Center at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples 34109

Author book review: “The People in the Room, Rabbis, Nuns, Pastors, Popes and Presidents”

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2:30 p.m.

Rabbi James Rudin will take us inside

Location: Pulte Family Life Center at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples 34109

“Stolen Summer” movie presentation

Sunday, March 5, 2:30 p.m.

This is a poignant story of two young boys, one Catholic, one Jewish. The Jewish one is dying and the Catholic one believes he needs to convert him so he will go to heaven.

Location: St. William Ministry Center, Seagate Drive, Naples, directly across the street from Saks 5th Avenue

For more information, please contact the CJD at cjdialogue@naples.net.

nonprofit board leader of the year...continued from page 1

of Jewish people and the community with more than 200 donors added each year for the past three years. Schiff has also served as a volunteer on the annual community campaign cabinet, helping to shepherd and thank donors.

What makes Schiff an impactful leader is that she understands that, in Jewish

communal service, as in religion, there is comfort in standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. She embraces the idea that she also has a responsibility to those who come after her to create a good foundation upon which they can continue to grow and change.

2023 Annual Community Campaign

Marcy Friedland FRD Director

Aheartfelt thank you to the donors who have already contributed to the 2023 campaign. You may have

already received a thank you or reminder call from our hardworking campaign cabinet volunteers. Our second mailing of pledge cards to those who haven’t donated will be going out this month.

After months of planning, we are busy getting ready for our upcoming programs and events:

Thursday, Dec. 15 – Pomegranate Society Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Women’s Philanthropy with $1,800 per year to attend

Happy Chanukah!

Reneé Bialek

Program

Director

Please join us at the Communitywide Chanukah Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 5 pm. Hear beautiful music from Naples Klezmer Revival Band and listen to the children of Temple Shalom. Buy delicious latkes and sufganiyote from Chef Dalia. Get a balloon creation and enjoy various activities at each table on the Lawn at Mercato. Please register so we can plan accordingly at https://jfgn.regfox.com/ chanukah-celebration.

Jewish Book Festival continues on Monday, Dec. 5 with Eleanor Reissa,

author of “The Letters Project: A Daughter’s Journey.” This event will take place via Zoom and in person at Beth Tikvah. Thank you, Beth Tikvah for hosting and being a sponsor for this event. Ginsberg Eye Opthalmology is also a sponsor! Jewish Book Festival welcomes Jen Spyra, author of “Big Time,” on Zoom Thursday, Dec. 15. JNF-USA is the sponsor for this event.

If you became a Patron prior to Dec. 25, your name will be listed in the next Federation Star. If you don’t see your name in this issue, now is the time to become a Patron and buy tickets! Please visit www.jewishbookfestival.org for more information or to buy individual tickets.

Important dates to save

• Monday, Jan. 16 is the MLK Jr. Parade. Come walk with us! Meet us at 10 a.m. and walk with us in the parade that starts at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 21 – First Annual Matzah Ball, 7 p.m., Ben Gurion Society ages 25-50 years old

Wednesday, Feb. 8 – Major Gifts & Lion of Judah Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

Sunday, March 12 – Power of Community Celebration, 11 a.m.

“Save the date” and invitations will be sent out but mark your calendars now! We hope you will join us for all or some of our exciting events.

With the upcoming grand opening of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, next year is sure to be an exciting time for us all in Greater Naples.

We make giving easy — www. jewishnaples.org, 239-263-4205 or MFriedland@jewishnaples.org.

• Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Annual Klezmer Revival Band will play at the South Regional Library. Please become a patron and get VIP seating for $50 per person. Or attend for free, but you need to register via Collier County Library.

• Sunday, March 26, come join us at Celebrate Israel @75. Please become a friend: Friends of Celebrate Israel @75. At a $75 contribution, you will support this free community event and your name will be listed in the Federation Star. Here is the direct link: https://jfgn.regfox.com/ friends-celebrate-israel-at-75.

• Tuesday, April 18: Community-wide Yom HaShoah at 7 p.m.

Please register for all events at www.jewishnaples.org.

Dates and times of upcoming events are announced on our website homepage. If you aren’t receiving our weekly Monday e-blast, please email me at

rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, which gets emailed two hours prior to the start of each event.

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, together with MCA and WCA, have started a new group called Social Single Group. This group is for Jewish singles to meet each other at a variety of events. Membership is required. Become an MCA or WCA and Federation member today!

We have a variety of groups and committees at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, such as PJ Library, Jewish Families with Young Children, Cardozo Legal Society, Catholic Jewish Dialogue, Israel Advocacy Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council. Please join the group and/or committee that best fits your needs. A taste of each one can be found throughout our website at www.jewishnaples.org.

Herb Keinon paints candid picture of Israel’s politics

By Jeff Margolis, Israel Advocacy Committee member

Jerusalem Post reporter and author, Herb Keinon, presented an up-todate and candid analysis of the political climate in Israel as elections loom. Keinon spoke via Zoom to members of the Greater Naples Jewish community. He warned that despite 75 years of diplomatic success, with the establishment of the Abraham Accords, Israel cannot afford to let its guard down.

The country lives in a bad neighborhood with Hezbollah and Iran always seeking to create some sort of havoc. This threat of terror has had an eff ect on the Israeli psyche, according to Keinon.

The election, slated for early November, will have been the fifth election in three-and-a-half years and Benjamin Netanyahu still is a playmaker in Israeli politics. Added to the mix is the role that the United States will play in Middle East affairs. Keinon provided illustrations of America’s positions under both Democrat and Republican administrations.

By the time this article appears, the election results will be in. A party or coalition needs 61 seats to control the Knesset. The Arab voter turnout, which has been traditionally low, may be a key factor in the election this time around. Stay tuned.

Calling all singles

New singles social group plans first dinner

Single members of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, MCA and WCA are invited to come meet new friends over cocktails and dinner.

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 6

Location: Maguro Sushi and Steakhouse

Cocktails at 4:30 p.m.; Hibachi dinner at 5:30 p.m.

To attend, please register at https:// JFGN.regfox.com/maguro-for-dinner.

You will pay for what you order. For an advance look at the menu, go to https://magurosteakhouse.com/menu.

If you want to attend and are not a member, please contact Reneé at RBialek@jewishnaples.org.

Light and joy in times of darkness

December means Chanukah when you are Jewish. Chanukah’s meaning is light in times of darkness. How could anything be more appropriate this year. Hurricane Ian unleashed devastation and death to our area and the clean-up is really just starting. Many of our leadership and members have been affected. Many lost cars, which now seems like one of the better outcomes. Many who live in high-rise buildings still wait for power as their master control boards (motherboards) were damaged and replacements are difficult to find.

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613

Phone: 239.263.4205 Fax: 239.263.3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org

Officers

Board Chair: Jane Schiff

Vice Chairs: Nat Ritter, Marc Saperstein, Beth Wolff

Secretary: Rosalee Bogo

Treasurer: Elliot Lerner

Immediate Past Chair: Alvin Becker

Board of Directors

Frank Baum, Patti Boochever, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Amanda Dorio, Paula Filler, Cheryl

Ginsburg, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Michael Rubenstein, Michael Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss, Jeff Zalasky, Board Member Emeritus: Phyllis Seaman

Past Board Chairs

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson (z”l), Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo, Judge Norman Krivosha (z”l)

Synagogue Representatives

Living in hotels, living in rental units, living with friends or family — we all know someone in this situation, or we are ourselves in this situation. Yet, most of those we have spoken to about their plight consider themselves lucky, because they have the resources to deal with the displacement. This is in contrast to the many who are displaced and desperate, without financial means to go forward, often without insurance altogether. FEMA provides so little.

Then along comes Chanukah. Lights and joy in the darkness. Our last Chanukah was at Mercato. As you read this article, we are moving, or preparing to move, to our new home, The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Next year, our Chanukah celebration will be there.

Stan Alliker, Cantor Donna Azu, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Steve Chizzik, Rabbi Ammos Chorny, Rabbi Mendel

Gordon, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, Rabbi Mark Gross, Rabbi Howard Herman, Rabbi Adam Miller, Charles Flum, Rabbi James Perman, Dr. Arthur Seigel, Len Teitelbaum, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Staff

Jeffrey Feld: Federation President & CEO

Reneé Bialek: Program Director

Michelle Cunningham: Receptionist

Alicia Feldman: PJ Library Coordinator

Marcy Friedland: Financial Resource Development Director

Janine Hudak: Admin. Coordinator

Nicole Winter: Campaign Associate

Teresa Zimmerman: Finance & Operations Manager

Phil Zoltek: Facility Manager

CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER

The celebration

music and entertainment at Cambier Park. The Jewish Community Relations Council is looking for volunteers to sit at our booth, starting at 9:30 am.

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL!

If you can walk in the parade and/or sit at our booth, please contact: Reneé at rbialek@jewishnaples.org

We have much to celebrate this Chanukah season. While Hurricane Ian marched over us — as of this writing, we know of new deaths in our Jewish community, and we mourn those who lost their lives — the multiyear dream of our own building has come true. The generosity of this community seems boundless and is helping thousands of our neighbors who were truly devasted by the impact of Ian. The light and darkness of the season seem somehow darker and brighter this year than ever before. Or maybe it is just more obvious than ever before.

We are so excited to show you the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. We are amazed that, with all the slow-downs, supply chain issues, labor shortages and an epic hurricane, the building is actually opening exactly as planned some two years ago. But that amazement, is nothing in comparison to the excitement and enthusiasm we have for the building and the possibilities it presents for our community.

Watch for news about the official Grand Opening, which will go out as soon as we have a date we can count on. Happy Chanukah!

Federation is the central Jewish community-building organization for Greater Naples, providing a social service network that helps Jewish people locally, in Israel and around the world. As the central fundraising organization for Jewish communal life in our area, strength is drawn from organized committees of dedicated volunteers.

Programs include:

• Annual Campaign & Endowment Fund

• Annual Community Campaign

• Celebrate Israel

• Educational & Cultural Programs

• Israel Advocacy Committee

• Israel Scouts

• Jewish Book Festival

• Jewish Community Relations Council

• Jewish Young Professionals

• Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance

• Men’s Cultural Alliance

• PJ Library

• Publication of the Federation Star, Connections and Community Directory

• Women’s Cultural Alliance

• Women’s Philanthropy

• Youth Activities Committee –sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and Israel Experience

Published by

Jane Schiff and Jeffrey Feld

Brick pavers to welcome guests to Center

Donors who have purchased brick pavers for the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

To the following donors who have purchased one or more brick pavers to grace the plaza area to the left of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center entrance — Todah Rabah.

Would you like to add your name to the list in an upcoming issue of Federation Star ? Contact me at mfriedland@ jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205.

Indicate how you want your engraved brick to read, using the grid below for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. Each row counts as one line of text, only use the amount of lines specified below for your brick.

12” x 12” Engraved Brick - room for 8 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($1,800)

8” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 6 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($720)

4” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($360)

Hedy & Jack Abel

Gail Abelman

In Memory of Hope Abels (z”l)*

Sheryl & Mel Affrime

Sheila & Howard Agranat

Thais & Roberto Alcalay

Karen & Stuart Altfest

Marlene & Nate Apkon

Tracy & Michael Askotzky

Jay & Debra Barnett

Lea & Michael Bendes

Ira Berlin

Barbara & Bruce Berger

Carole Berkowitz

Harriet & Louis Berneman

Penni & Mark Blaskey

Patti & Pete Bloom

Ronnie Blumenthal

Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

Betsy Borden

In Memory of Steve Brazina (z”l)*

Peggy & Kenny Brown

Sandy & Alan Burton

Adria & Ira Cammeyer

Donna & Alfred Cavaliere Ciralsky

Coalition for Quality Public Education

Nan & Robert Ciralsky

Tracey & David Cohen

Celia Deifik & Mark Cohn

Janet & Saul Cooperman

Marcy & Ira Cotton

Paula & Ron Creed

Crowther Roofing & Sheet Metal

of Florida, Inc.

Deborah & James Dallet

Susan & Alan Daroff

Barbara Shagan Dave

Shellie Specter & Robert Davidson

DeAngelis Diamond

Susan & Phil Dean

Sharon & Alan Deutch

Sandy Diamond

Gayle & Marty Dorio

Linda & Larry DuKatz

Shelley & Steve Einhorn

Pamela & Bruce Epstein

Alicia & Michael Feldman

Ruth Simon & David Feldman

Leslie & Ed Feldman

In Memory of David Fisher (z”l)*

Jerry Flagel

Nancy Flatau

Jennifer & Marc Fleischer

Lisa & Sidney Freund

Jane & Lester Friedberg

Carol & Clifford Friedman

Nancy Garfien

Nancy & Darryl Garfinkel

Phyllis & Philip Garon Deb & Burt Geller

Marlene & Stephen Ginsberg

Nancy & Stuart Gitis

Barbara & Gene Goldenziel

Melvin Goldfine

Janice Goldman

Jane & Joel Goldman

Sandra & Alan Goldman

Susan Miller & Hilly Goldman

Diane & Bob Goldstein

Marsha & Michael Goldstein

Monica & Allan Goodwin

Helene & Alan Gordon

Ellen & Michael Gordon

Carole Greene

Sherry & Howard Greenfield

Lenore Greenstein

Ellen & Robert Gurnitz

Orna Hanison

Bobbi & Randy Heiligman

Milli Hershman

Roz & Morris Herstein

Carol & David Hidy

Carol & Burton Hirsch

Susan & Michael Horowitz

Linda & Larry Hyde

Lynda & Donald Insul

Christina & Norman Isaacs

Judythe & Martin Isserlis

Rolly & Adair Jacob

Liz & Alan Jaffe

In Memory of Richard Janger (z’l)* Gail MarksJarvis & James Jarvis

Jewish War Veterans of Collier County Post 202

Jeanne & Stan Kagin

Elaine & Fred Kamin

Merrylee & Joseph Kandel

Arline & Ronald Kaplan

Judith & Wayne Kargher

Barbara & Arnold Karp

In Honor of Lisa & Dale Katz* Tammy & Brian Katz Bobbie Kauffman

In Memory of Mary Kauffman (z”l)* Gail& Vitaliy Kedrus Charles Kiven

In Honor of Deborah Kohler*

Phyllis & Abe Koss

Pam & Warren Krangel Elaine & Richard Landau

Sara & Michael Landy

Michael Latsky

Elayna & Jonathan Latsky

Heidi Thorner & Gary Layton

Suyen Zhaz & Brandon Leitner

Helaine & Marvin Lender

Helene & Elliot Lerner

Linda Lerner

Anna & Yale Levin

Arlene Levin

Hilda & Martin Levine

Judy & Mayer Levitt Harriet & Merlin Lickhalter

Dorothy Litt

Stephanie Adler Calliott & Don London

Dorothy Magen

Ida & Jeff Margolis

Marketcrank, Inc.

MCA*

Carol & Stuart Mest Gisela & Richard Miller

Marvin Mirsky

Modern Playwrights

Marsha & Joel Moranz

Laurie & Barry Nagler

Helene Naimon

Gail & Les Nizin

Harvey Oriel

Barbara Jean Paganelli

Judi Palay

Karen & Jerry Pam

Hedy & Ron Pearlman

Sherry & Stephen Pino

Susan & Joel Pittelman

Susan & Jimmy Pittleman

Iris & Steven Podolsky

Beth-Ellen & Irv Povlow

Judit & Richard Price

Sandy Randall Estelle Rauch

June Streisand & John Reiches

Ilene Rich

Mae Riefberg

Dale & Steven Riemer

Susan & Nathaniel Ritter

Jennifer & Kenny Roller

Judy & Sam Roth

Luba & Alberto Rotsztain

Betty & Jim Rubenstein

David Rubin

Jess & Chris Rush

Adrienne & Miles Russ

Linda Russell

Karyn & Rowan Samuel

Jacqueline Sallade

Rose Saperstein

Katie & Michael Sarnoff

Eleanor & Neil Scheffler

Linda & Shepard Scheinberg

Jane Schiff

Shelley & Mark Schloss

Anne Schuchman

Caroline & Bill Schulhof

Ellen & Art Seigel

Jane & Paul Shaw

Merle & Larry Shuman

Anita & Micahel Siegel

Gay & David Silberg

Cathy & Scott Silver

Andrea & Greg Silvershein

Linda Singer

Sisterhood of Temple Shalom

Gail & Russell Smith II

Elaine Soffer

Stacy Sokol

Merrill & Andrew Solan

Harriet Spirer

Leslie & Mel Springman

Sandi Stern

Denise & Stephen Sultan

Shira & Bryan Swartz

Pearl Fishman Thall

Fahn & Denny Tishkoff

Michelle Levine Troupp

WCA Ladies Bridge*

WCA Single Girlfriends*

Linda & Jerry Wainick

In Memory of Stephen G. (z”l) Weiss*

Suellen & James Weiner

Gloria & Murray Weinstock

Ellen & Max Weisberg

Susan & Jay Weiss

Goldie & Kenneth Wetcher

Evelyn White Karen Wilner

Lauri & Steven Wishner

Beth & Brian Wolff

Deb & Frank Wyman

Susan & Russ Yale

Suzann & Steve Yussen

Cathy & Philip Zacks

Judy & Jeff Zwicker

Brick Paver donors as of Oct. 28, 2022:

Safety is our number one priority

Marcy Friedland FRD Director

We are almost ready for the Grand Opening of our new center but still have some

delays due to Hurricane Ian. Security has always been one of our main concerns with building the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. To that end, we have met with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and with Jewish Federations of North America Secure Community Network. Meeting with them both on several occasions during the process, from drawings to completion of the building, we benefited

from their knowledge, expertise and invaluable input.

For security purposes, we are asking everyone to provide their name and email address for use in creating a new badging system. Several emails have gone out with the link to register. All members of Federation will need to come to our Naples office, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, after they are registered to have their picture taken and receive their badge.

Badges will be required for each person to enter the building using card readers located at the front doors. Once inside the building, badges must be visible and worn on your person.

We ask for your patience and understanding while we undertake this monumental task and, remember, it is for everyone’s benefit to enjoy the many programs and events we are eager to bring to you while remaining safe and secure.

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By Gayle Dorio, Jewish Book Festival Chair

Do you know that the publication deadline for the Federation Star is always months ahead? I’m writing this in October and planning what to say about December, the month we celebrate Chanukah, among other things. If you plan ahead, why not purchase some Jewish Book Festival books as presents?

Kindle users know that it is a simple matter to order a “sample” of a book, read the pages off ered and then decide whether or not you wish to purchase and read the whole book. Just like in a bookstore! Open up the book, shuffle here and there and get a taste! Sit at Barnes & Noble bookstore and have a cup of coffee as you relax in one of the comfy chairs. Or order the book from Amazon and have it delivered before you can turn around! This year, there are a number of books you will be glad to give as a gift or maybe even keep for yourself!

Some people are planners, and some are definitely not. None of us planned to have Hurricane Ian come through on Sept. 28th and disrupt our lives — even though an amusing cartoon says, “preparing for a hurricane is a bit like being stalked by a turtle!” What a mess! What a tragedy for so many. We certainly pray that you have come through this and have managed to put things back together. At least, we pray that things are moving in the right direction.

Giving support to those who have been so terribly impacted by the hurricane has been uppermost in people’s minds and pocketbooks. Generous donations have been made and our community has stepped up. That is the kind of community we are!

Preview event recording online

We had hoped to present the Jewish

Book Festival Preview event on Sept. 29, but Hurricane Ian prevented that. Iris Shur and Steve Yussen worked hard to put together a very entertaining program. Almost half the JBF committee participated, too. Their efforts were not for naught – the Preview event was subsequently recorded and then posted on the website. If you haven’t done so already, check it out at www.jewishbookfestival.org.

The Preview Event kicks off the festival and, after hearing about the books and authors and reading about all of it in the Federation Star (isn’t the pull-out section in the October issue terrific?), we see lots of community support and lots of people signing up to be patrons. We hope you will remember the book festival and become patrons this year as well. Thank you in advance!

We are so fortunate to have the world of books open to us. I am always pleased to hear friends discussing what they are currently reading — there always seems to be an interesting new book. We also have excellent libraries that offer so much! Books on tape, large print, etc. And what can be better than having authors appear before us to discuss their books?

For the past seven years, we have been treated to an assortment of authors who spend time with us, weaving their stories as if spinning straw into gold. This year, the same continues. Every year, the authors’ credentials are impressive, and they do a fine job of enlightening us as they explain their subject matter. This, the 8th annual Jewish Book Festival of Greater Naples, sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, presents 16 authors at 14 events!

And thank you to the amazing JBF committee who does so much! Reneé Bialek is the program director managing everything! Carole Greene writes the book reviews in the newspaper and the “blurbs” explaining the books for us. And there are so many others who diligently work and always answer “Yes” when asked to help. It’s because of each of them and each of you that we are able to offer a worthwhile book festival. I hope you appreciate and enjoy the offerings!

It’s rewarding to be a member of the JBF committee. Yes, there is a great deal of work involved presenting the festival. But it truly is a labor of love. In addition to reading and reviewing lots of books, committee members help solicit sponsors; act as publicity voices; help select music, food, venues; etc. They help with the in-person events, checking people in, greeting them, showing them to their seats, selling books and answering questions.

Introductions and monitoring the Q&A are responsibilities that fall to committee members and other interested parties. Some are “author champions” making sure their chosen author is well cared for and serving as the liaison for all things regarding the author. One distinct advantage committee members share is the ability to get to know the authors on a more personal level, some of whom have even stayed in touch with their author champions!

December events

“The Letters Project, A Daughter’s Journey.” Did you know she was nominated for a Tony award, is a singer, playwright, choreographer and director in addition to being an author? She also performs in Yiddish! She will be here, in person, at Beth Tikvah on Dec. 5! Beth Tikvah is both hosting and sponsoring this event. Ginsberg Eye Ophthalmology is also a sponsor.

Ten days later, on Dec. 15, we will enjoy Jen Spyra, a former writer for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and The Onion. Jen combines her literary background, MFA in playwriting and screenwriting with quirky humor as she spends time telling us different stories. Jen’s book is titled “Big Time Stories.” This event is sponsored by Jewish National Fund-USA.

January events

In January, we feature three events. Cathy Barrow will be here at Temple Shalom on Jan. 4 to discuss her book, “Bagels, Shmears and a Nice Piece of Fish.” Did I mention we will have a brunch to go along with Cathy Barrow’s visit?!

Then it’s Isabel Vincent on Jan. 12, “Overture of Hope,” followed by Eileen Kathy Pollack on Jan. 20, “Maybe It’s Me.”

I sincerely hope you will join us for each event. Remember, if you sign up to be a patron, you don’t have to worry about tickets! And, there are other advantages. Sign up on the website or email Reneé if you wish … we’d love to have you. See you soon!

Thank you to Federation, as well as all our sponsors and patrons for their support!

November began with three events. This month, we present two events. First, Eleanor Reissa will tell us about her book,

As my friend Gloriana the Great is fond of saying, “Please tell everyone you know about the Jewish Book Festival … tell all your friends … tell people you do not even know, people you do not even like!”

Amazing committee makes it happen

Gayle Dorio

Triple Crown Of Pests Can Cause Holiday Blues

by Anna Wallace, Truly Nolen

With December holidays on the horizon, there remains plenty of time to finish grocery shop ping and food prep before friends and family arrive to celebrate together (and in many cases, perhaps for the first time since 2019).

Meanwhile, roaches, rodents, and ants enjoy seizing the opportunity to make themselves known once your guests have gone home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help keep these pests from ruining the rest of your upcoming holiday season.

A very common pest, cockroaches are noctur nal and remain in the dark whenever possible, only emerging to search for water and food. Large infestations should be suspected when cockroaches are seen in the open or in the light during the day.

Much like your invited holiday guests, these uninvited insects require three things: water, food, and warm shelter.

Meanwhile, ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets as they supply a large amount of energy to the relatively small ants. While most ants are considered harmless, an ant infestation can be a major nuisance and may be difficult to control. When ants find a food source is in your home, you can count on them quickly entering your home through the smallest cracks and crevices.

Rodents such as mice are often common house hold pets, but in the wild they can become very bothersome household pests. They can sneak into homes through a hole about the size of a dime in order to find food or shelter from their natural outdoor habitats.

Once inside, mice make their homes in quiet spaces out of spare materials, such as string and insulation. After entering your home, their diet consists of any spare food, but in nature they typically eat grains, seeds and sweets. Mice do not need to regularly drink water because they obtain it from the moisture in their food.

Because all three of these pests are looking for food in your home, there are definitely some ways to prevent an outbreak before you may need a pest control professional.

These ways include eliminating water (do not let water stand in sinks and eliminate outside collection areas), eliminating food sources (dispose garbage as soon as possible following your meal, pack leftovers properly, and wipe off counter tops often), and eliminate harborages (discard unnecessary cardboard boxes and pull mulch away from your home).

Ultimately, in the event of a major infestation, a pest control professional can help with actual exclusion techniques to block off and seal possi ble entryways especially for ants and rodents.

By following these simple steps, the chances of the Triple Crown of Pests arriving unannounced to your holiday meal will TRULY decrease. We encourage you to pack leftovers with secure lids, clean any clutter following your meal, and take out all of your properly bagged garbage as soon as you can to help keep pests away well past the holiday season!

(Anna Wallace is the Manager for Truly Nolen in Naples. Her service office can be reached at (239)643-2555. Founded in 1938, Tucson-based Truly Nolen of America (www.tru lynolen.com) is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States.)

Explore

By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library & PJ

Deepen your family’s Chanukah experience beyond the gelt and glitz and gifts. These eight values — community, conservation, courage, education, Israel, light, miracles and rededication — are derived from the story of Chanukah, with pieces for learning, asking, doing and reading.

Choose to explore as many values as you’d like. You can go in order, or skip around as desired, but we recommend ending with rededication.

Note to parents

Consider reading the night’s value through first to be familiar with it and

decide if there are parts where you’d change the words to suit your child’s developmental level. Use a variety of questions that would best work for your family’s discussion.

For each of these eight values of Chanukah, we suggest your family can:

1) Learn: description of the holiday value

2) Ask: questions to discuss as a family (for a “fireside chat”)

3) Do: activities to do together

4) Read: PJ Library books

Check out www.jconnect.org/ families/pj-library/chanukah-values for more suggestions:

Chanukah fun facts

• Hanukkah is Hebrew for “to dedicate.”

• It can be spelled many ways including Chanukah, Chanukkah and Hanukkah.

• Some people call it the Festival of Lights or Festival of Dedication.

• Gift-giving wasn’t originally part of the holiday, but children were given gelt (chocolate coins) money as incentive for studying the Torah. Gifts were added because the holiday is close to Christmas.

• Many traditional foods served on Chanukah are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil burning for eight nights.

• Traditional Chanukah foods include potato pancakes, called latkes; noodle or potato casserole, called kugel; gelt (chocolate coins); and jelly doughnuts, called sufaniyot.

• 17.5 million donuts are eaten in Israel during Hanukkah.

Q:

family.

A: We are Mandy and Arthur Maiman. We have a beautiful daughter, Leora, who is 5 years old.

Q: How long have you been in Naples?

A: Mandy grew up in Naples and left

in 2012 to work in Miami. Our family returned in 2020 to be closer to family during COVID. Unfortunately, Arthur still lives and works in Pennsylvania but he will be here with us permanently soon!

Q: What’s it like on the day PJ Library books arrive?

A: Leora is so happy to get mail with her name on it! She opens her book immediately and designates it as her bedtime book for that night.

Q: What do you think about the quality of PJ Library books?

A: We think they’re great! The stories are well written. Some have a great meaning; others are just for fun. We love the variety! Sometimes we get books related to a holiday, which helps to enhance the meaning of the holiday. We also like the books that are just for fun that teach Jewish values or relay folk tales.

Q: A lot of parents say they feel PJ books help them raise good kids. Do you feel that way? Please explain.

A: I think this is true for two reasons. Books that are related to holidays help us teach Leora in an age-appropriate manner and they help her to feel connected to the holiday. There are also books that focus on our actions, how we should behave in this world and these books give us an opportunity to have conversations with Leora about her thoughts on these important topics.

Q: Are you involved in the Jewish community in Naples?

A: We belong to Temple Shalom and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Leora is a graduate of Temple Shalom Preschool and now attends the religious school (YESh). We love having a place for her to go to learn, as well as see her friends from preschool.

Q: What is Leora’s favorite PJ Library book?

A: One of her favorites is “Shalom Bayit” by Linda Elovitz Marshall but, the truth is, I couldn’t pick a favorite for Leora. As we move through the holidays and read a book again that we haven’t seen in a while, it might become her favorite at the time.

Q: What is the bedtime routine at your house?

A: We get on PJs and brush teeth. Then head to bed with two books. One is for Leora to read and the other is for mom or dad to read to her. It is our special snuggle time!

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a PJ Library Spotlight Family, please let us know! Email Alicia Feldman at programs@jewishnaples.org.

Tell me about the Maiman

Alicia Feldman

Celebrate Israel’s milestone 75th birthday

By Jeff Margolis, IAC member

On Nov. 29, 1947, the United Nations adopted the Partition Plan for Palestine. Less than one year later, the new State of Israel was established, on May 14,1948, with a declaration of its independence. U.S. President Harry Truman and the United States became the first nation to officially recognize the new country.

It has been 75 years since that momentous day. In that time, Israel has blossomed into a burgeoning nation of over 9 million people. Israelis have made groundbreaking and historic advances in the fields of agriculture and technology. To protect its land and its people, the country has developed a formidable defense force. Its citizens have also contributed to the arts and culture world.

In commemoration of this historic anniversary, it’s time for the Greater Naples community to celebrate. The entire community is invited to come to Celebrate Israel @75 on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

at the new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center in Naples.

Tracy and Michael Askotzky and Cathy and Phil Zacks co-chair this exciting and notable event. There will be entertainment, activities and great food for all. Attendees will be able to view the great strides Israel has made in culture and technology. Kids activities will include a bounce house and a rock-climbing wall. The first 500 guests will receive a free Kona Ice.

Make sure you circle the date. Come and help the entire community celebrate this special occasion. Please register for this free program so that we can plan accordingly at https://jfgn.regfox.com/ celebrate-israel-at-75.

For sponsorship information: https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-55/ 2/Celebrate%2520Israel%2520 sponsor%25281%2529.pdf

The members of Israel Advocacy Committee of Greater Naples wish everyone a Happy Hannukah.

Friends of Celebrate Israel @ 75

By Harvey Cohen, Israel Advocacy Committee Chair

Once in our lifetime, the fledgling State of Israel celebrates her 75th birthday. What a challenging 75 years it has been and, yet, in many ways Israel is at her strongest. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples will host a community-wide celebration on March 26 to join with like celebrations across the globe.

To help make our local event memorable with the broadest participation, every member of our community is invited to be a Friend of Celebrate Israel with a one-time donation of $75 or more. To encourage your joining, two local philanthropists have put up a matching fund of $7,500, doubling the gifts of the first 100 Friends of Celebrate Israel @ 75. The names of the Friends will be listed in future Federation Star issues.

To become a Friend of Celebrate Israel @ 75, simply send your check to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Ste. 2201, Naples FL 34109 (please put Friends of Celebration on the memo line) or go to https://jfgn.regfox.com/ friends-celebrate-israel-at-75. This link can be found in our e-blast and on our homepage.

Please become a Friend!

It’s a great time to make the move to a vibrant retirement at North Naples’ premier senior living community. The real estate market is red hot and Siena Lakes opened two brand new residence buildings featuring:

• Spacious floorplans with high-end finishes

• Hurricane-ready construction designed for community safety

• On-site restaurants, medical center, and fitness center

• Convenient location close to shopping, beaches, and more

Limited homes remain. Call 1-800-597-9105 today to learn more and receive your free brochure.

North Naples SienaLakesNaples.com

Join MCA’s annual Hanukkah celebration

In what has become a highly anticipated annual event, members are invited to join in the MCA Menorah Lighting and Comedy Night on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. at Temple Shalom. The guest comedian will be Keith Barany, who The New York Post calls “the wittiest comedian working today.” Check the weekly e-blast for more details.

The MCA monthly luncheon program continues Thursday, Dec. 8. 11:30 a.m. at DeRomo’s Restaurant in Bonita Springs. Jerry Sanford will discuss “How an Antique NYC Fire Helmet Brought Jerry Sanford to NYC on 9/11.” The cost of the luncheon is $37 for members. Please make reservations at www.mcanaples.org. Are you in the mood for a few laughs and some New York City nostalgia? Plan to join the Brazina Documentary Film program Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom for a presentation of “The Sturgeon Queens.” This film takes a delightful look at the iconic New York City appetizing store, Russ and Daughters. Be sure to register for this event at www.mcanaples.org.

Ongoing events

At the present time, groups are meeting via Zoom. Groups will begin meeting in person in early 2023, once the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center opens.

The MCA Book Discussion Group will meet via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 8

at 2:30 p.m. The book discussed will be “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America,” by Ryan Busse. The author spent 25 years in the firearms industry. His book examines his disillusionment with the gun culture in this country and its relationship with the NRA. Contact program leader Stan Farb at stan4mignon@earthlink.net.

On Monday, Dec. 12, the Israel Discussion Group will meet via Zoom with a lively discussion of current events. I’m sure that the recent elections in Israel will be a hot topic. Co-chairs Harvey Cohen and Collin Lewis facilitate this program. Contact Harvey at hwcohen@gmail.com.

Jim Sernovitz’ globe-hopping travelogues continue on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. This month, Jim takes us to South America — from cosmopolitan capitals to thundering Iguassu Falls and the Amazon rainforest. View the great cities of Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Once you sign up for one of Jim’s programs, you will automatically be reminded of future travelogues.

Also on Dec. 13, is the MCA Science Discussion Program via Zoom. Larry Siegel will discuss “The Science of Crime: How do we Know and What do we Know?”

Larry has a Ph.D. in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany, where he was a professor. Contact Bob Davidson at rsdavidson1@gmail.com.

Menorah Lighting and Comedy Night featuring Keith Barany

December 20, 7:00 PM

Who is Keith Barany? The New York Post called him “The wittiest comic working today.” His show is a mix of Jewish themed and mainstream routines.

Here is what his audience members said: "I miss you already! Thanks for a terrific evening. Everyone loved it. So that's a great compliment to you, because you know how tough our tribe can be."

Join your MCA friends and family for a Hanukkah celebration, great comedy and, of course, food (dessert).

Scan the QR code to register. Or go to www.mcanaples.org.

/ 508.733.9427

By Jeff Margolis

The topic for this month’s Current Issues program via Zoom is “Beyond the Vaccine – Preventing another Pandemic.” This program is slated for Thursday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. Contact program leader Ron Mutchnik for details.

Also slated for Thursday, Dec. 15 is the monthly Men’s Medical Issues series. This month, Dr. Neil Stein will discuss “Lower Urinary Tract Concerns as we Age.”

Let’s play golf. Are you interested in playing an 18-hole round of golf with fellow MCA members? Every Tuesday, starting Dec. 6, MCA offers golf at Valencia Golf Club. Check the MCA e-blast for details and signup information.

If you are interested in other outdoor activities, MCA offers pickleball, bocce, biking, kayaking, fishing and walking.

Check the weekly e-blast or the MCA website for information.

This is just a partial list of the exciting and engaging programs MCA offers each month. Be sure to check the weekly inseason emails for up-to-date information.

New program

MCA is pleased to announce a new program — MCA Pool Club. The group plans to meet every Tuesday morning, 11 a.m. at the Norris Center (755 8th Ave. S.) in Naples. If you are interested in playing pool and socializing with fellow MCAers, please join in. Contact Marty Isserlis at mgisserlis@gmail.com.

The board of directors of MCA wishes all our members and families a Happy Hanukkah.

There are many ways to support Israel and its people, but none is more transformative than a gift to Magen David Adom, Israel’s paramedic and Red Cross service. Your gift to MDA isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them — providing critical care and hospital transport for everyone from victims of heart attacks to casualties of rocket attacks.

Support Magen David Adom by donating today at afmda.org/support or call 866.632.2763.

No charitable gift has a greater impact on the lives of Israelis.

WCA newsletter: A gift to our membership

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

December is often associated with giving (and receiving!) presents.

However, every Thursday morning throughout the year, WCA members receive a “gift” from WCA – its weekly newsletter. They can open it from the inbox on their computer, iPad and even from their cellphone. The newsletter announces upcoming programs and events and enables members to register for them by simply clicking on a button! Because both our newsletter and website are linked to our membership management system, after registering, you automatically receive a confirmation of your registration. As newsletter editor Carol Sherman says, “It is easy peasy!”

At the top of the newsletter, under the WCA banner, is the link to the WCA website, wcanaples.org. With simply another click, women can go directly to the website and view the WCA calendar, the list of interest groups and their liaisons, WCA publications, and more. In addition, many of the newsletter articles contain links to the website, such as to the publication WCA Words. The WCA newsletter is most certainly a “gift” to our members.

The wizard behind the newsletter is its talented editor, Carol Sherman, who created the new look for it using the newsletter feature of the membership management system WCA began using in

March 2021. While the system has limitations, such as having only six available fonts, it offers many features that enable Sherman to compose, design and edit the newsletter. She uses a dark background color for the entire newsletter, then places a white box on top of the background so that the content is easy to read.

“When there is a special announcement that needs attention, I change the white background to a bright color and use white for the text,” explains Sherman. “I insert colored lines between articles to keep information clear, and I change text color to highlight dates and times in red. This way, women can quickly

check their calendars, as they don’t have to reread an entire article to find the date.”

The newsletter feature makes it easy for Sherman to import graphics and photos, both of which greatly enhance the appearance of the newsletter. “Sometimes it is the picture that drives people to register for a program!” confides Sherman.

“I introduced several new features this year,” she reports. “The first is a list of members’ birthdays for the current month. As long as a member includes her birthday in her profile, it will appear on the monthly birthday list. Many times, a member is motivated to update her profile because her birthday didn’t appear in the newsletter!”

COVID sparked Sherman to create yet another feature. She found that when small groups met for dinner, the entire conversation revolved around good books, TV series and movies. “People would get out their phones and write down the suggestions. So, I started a ‘What Have You Been Doing?’ column,” said Sherman. “Members send me the names of books, TV series and movies to pass along to others. Since I started this column, there has not been a single week that I haven’t received recommendations. Some of the best books I have read came from this column. I even sent a screenshot of the page to my daughter.

“Not only is the list helpful but an added bonus is that it also off ers our entire membership an opportunity to take part in creating our newsletter. Along this same line, whenever I can, I include

stories submitted by members, such as our ‘friendship stories’ as well as photos of members at programs.”

The bottom of the newsletter includes the popular “Buy/Sell” section that enables members to sell tickets they have for performances they are not able to attend or to buy tickets for events they would like to attend.

The last section of the newsletter publicizes programs/activities offered by organizations other than WCA. Th ese often include Federation programs, such as the Jewish Book Festival, community speakers and celebrations, and MCA activities that women may attend.

When I asked Sherman what she likes best about being the newsletter editor, she responded, “It’s the women! I started working on the newsletter at the height of COVID. I answered an ad in the WCA e-blast asking for someone who could type and would like to help. I spoke with Ann Cowen and, before I knew it, I was the editor! Ann and I still have a close relationship. Patti Boochever was my master guide, Elaine Soffer and Emily Berkowitz submitted articles, and my computer guru, Hannah Goodman, was my angel. They are each a major piece of my puzzle. I wouldn’t be successful if it weren’t for these women. Now, when we meet in person, it’s like I have long-lost friends whom I haven’t seen in years.”

Thanks to Sherman’s creativity, talent and hard work, the WCA newsletter helps to keep us all connected and up to date on WCA happenings.

Please be aware that the weekly newsletter is sent only to WCA members, so if you are not already a member of WCA, you will need to join to receive this very special gift each week.

Newsletter editor Carol Sherman works on an issue of the WCA weekly newsletter.

Year-end giving

By Marcy Friedland, FRD Director

As 2022 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. We are counting on you and your generosity to help us achieve our goal of $1.6 million. Your contributions help us to ensure the future of the Jewish community here, overseas and in Israel.

Did you know that there are seven different ways to make a tax-saving charitable donation by the end of the year?

1. Donate appreciated non-cash assets instead of cash.

2. Utilize both the standard deduction and itemized deductions by bunching two years of contributions into 2022.

3. Consider using a donor-advised fund account, making tax-deductible contributions before year-end, and deciding on grant recommendations next year.

4. Donate cash from the sale of depreciated securities.

5. Use a part-gift/part-sale strategy to offset capital gains tax from investment portfolio rebalancing at year-end.

6. Satisfy an IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

7. Use a charitable deduction to offset the tax liability on a retirement account withdrawal or conversion to a Roth IRA.

Giving is a good idea for several reasons, especially in 2022. In addition to effectively spreading the wealth, you can improve your own circumstances and sense of well-being by benefiting from special tax deductions. It’s a generous way to start the new year.

While Preparing for the Profound Transition,

Be Understood

Avow knows and respects Jewish traditions about living with serious illness and the return of the soul to G-d at the end of its journey in the world. Our hospice program is certified by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, and every staff member studies Jewish customs and beliefs about end of life so we can care for you and your family. When it’s time for hospice, call us 24/7/365 to speak to people who know your values and needs. Visit our website to see the dozens of support groups we offer for adults and children dealing with loss.

www.naplesseniorcenter.org / 239.325.4444

Center to develop Café Europa program for Holocaust survivors

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO

Naples Senior Center has some exciting news! We received a grant from the Sephardic Foundation to develop a socialization program for Holocaust survivors. Th e program, Café Europa, already exists in many locales across the country and is an opportunity for Holocaust survivors to socialize over a meal and music. The name comes from a Café in Stockholm, Sweden where survivors would meet after the war to try to find family and friends. Café Europa is open to all survivors and their children in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. The luncheon will be scheduled in mid- to late-February and will take place at the new Naples Senior Center at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. There is no cost to attend, and transportation will be provided, if needed.

Naples Senior Center invited community leaders to be part of its planning committee. Attending our first meeting were representatives from Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Holocaust Museum, Beth Tikvah Synagogue and Generations of the Shoah of SWFL. We asked the committee, and we are asking you, to let us know of survivors in the area who may be interested in attending Café Europa. For more information and answers to questions, please contact Anne Chernin at achernin@naplesseniorcenter.org or 239-325-4444.

Helping seniors after Hurricane Ian

The Center continues working with seniors impacted by Hurricane Ian, with a specific focus on those living in senior mobile home communities. With funding from Collier Community Foundation, we hired a designated case manager to focus on this effort. Additionally, hurricane relief from Federation has enabled us to respond to immediate needs of food and damages.

Our special evening approaches

An Evening for Better Tomorrows is Jan. 14, 2023, and we look forward to welcoming our friends to an evening of dining and dancing. Tickets are $600 each and patron tables are $10,000. For

more information, please contact Chloe Goldstein, director of development operations at cgoldstein@naplessenior center.org or 239-325-4444.

Naples Senior Center board and staff wish all a wonderful Hanukah and a great start to 2023.

Tributes

To: Mary & Doug Campbell

In your honor

From: Ida and Je rey Margolis

To: Stanley Deutsch In honor of your 80th birthday

From: Dr. Nathaniel & Susan Ritter

To: Michael Feldman & Family In memory of Bernard Feldman

From: Jane Schi

To: Shelley & Bob Goodman In your honor

From: Ida & Je rey Margolis

WishesWarmandHappy at Hanukkah

Every life is unique and deserves to be remembered in a special way. The professionals at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones honor the heritage of the Jewish faith with a meaning-

ful memorial that truly captures the essence of the life it represents. We offer our deepest gratitude for giving us the opportunity to assist you through one of the most challenging times in life, and for allowing us to earn and keep your trust.

To: Julie Grisham & Andy Sernovitz In honor of your Anniversary

From: Millie & Jim Sernovitz

To: Carol Hirsch In your honor

From: Ida & Je rey Margolis

To: Benjamin Peltz In memory of Judy Peltz

From: Linda & Larry Hyde

To: Estelle & Stuart Price A double Mazel Tov to you both for 60 years together, and to Estelle on her Special Birthday!

From: Karen & Stan Deutsch

To: Mae Riefberg Happy Special Birthday!

From: Harriet Israel

To: Bob Eberly and Peter Sallade In memory of Jackie Sallade

From: Suzann & Steve Yussen

To: Rose Saperstein In honor of your 100th Birthday

From: The Friends of the Carlisle Dinner Group Bella Calish Phyllis Lazear Marcelle Reiss Marilyn Statfeld Pearl Fishman-Thall

To: Jane Schi Mazel Tov on your selection as the Nonpro t Board Leader of 2022!

From: Helene & Elliot Lerner

To: Jane Schi Mazel Tov on being the recipient of both the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award and the Nonpro t Board Leader for 2022 Award!

From: Susan & Joel Pittelman

To: Jane Schi In honor of your generosity

From: Dr. Nathaniel & Susan Ritter

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. To place a Tribute in the FederationStarin honor or memory of someone, please contact Janine Hudak at the Federation office at 239-263-4205 or jhudak@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note card acknowledging your gift will be sent to the person or loved one you designate. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

The Festival of Lights is here… light the menorah, play with the dreidel, and feast on latkes and sufganiyot. Celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah with friends and family!

If go for it is your mantra - if carefree is your goal - if rst class is your style and your social life is a priority - welcome home. One community offers every opportunity, option, luxury and indulgence imaginable, from your personal training session and massage in the morning to the magni cent Burgundy you’ll enjoy with dinner later that evening.

GenShoah SWFL welcomes all 2gs, new and old members to participate

By Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis

Many of you may have gone to summer camp or have been a camp counselor. One of the camp songs that people who attend remember after many years is “Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.” That lovely little song relates to GenShoah SWFL because we are so pleased to have heard from many individuals now interested in joining this group and we welcome them to become friends with our wonderful earlier members.

We hope that new and “old” members will participate in upcoming GenShoah activities, Museum events and related community programs. And we are looking forward to suggestions for new programs and ways to make a difference.

Second-generation groups have many purposes. That is why GenShoah SWFL has a multi-faceted mission: Promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, preservation of the history and memory of the Holocaust, connection of the second generation with one another and supporting the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

One does not have to be a 2g to be a member. The only requirement is to be interested in some aspect of the mission. Only a few programs are limited to 2gs only.

Annual GenShoah SWFL Potluck

Coming soon is the Annual GenShoah SWFL Potluck. This has been a very

popular event hosted often by Shirley Besikof in her lovely social hall. This year, because of Hurricane Ian, the social hall is unavailable, and the potluck will be held at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Due to the change in venue, the number of attendees will have to be limited and the menu altered, but this event will give people the opportunity to see old friends and make new ones, “silver and gold.”

If you are interested in attending, please email Shirley at shirleybesikof@ gmail.com. And please let her know what finger food (that does not require heating) or dessert you would like to bring. In addition, there will be a brief discussion of “By the Grace of the Game,” by Dan Grunfeld, the book sponsored by the Museum for the Jewish Book Festival. You don’t have to read the book to attend, but you might want to Zoom into Grunfeld’s discussion of the book at the JBF on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon.

Visit www.JewishBookFestival.org to sign up. If you want to read a different kind of Holocaust story, this is it. If you want to read a fascinating story about basketball, this is it. If you like stories about the American dream, this is it. If you like to read a very good book and you will want to tell people about, then, for sure, read “By the Grace of the Game,”

and Zoom in to see the author. And remember, space is limited at the potluck.

Other upcoming events are listed below. If you are not currently receiving the GenShoah newsletter or if you have questions, please email genshoah@hmcec. org. Also, if you want to read stories that local 2gs have contributed about their parents, visit the Museum website, www.hmcec.org, and if you would like to contribute a story, contact Shelley at liebro@gmail.com.

Subscribe and read the GenShoah newsletter for much more information as well as the Yiddish Corner by Sol Awend.

Save the dates for these upcoming events

• GenShoah Annual Potluck Dinner Sunday, Dec. 18

One-man Holocaust play, “Good Jew,” presented at Beth Tikvah

By Ida Margolis

On Oct. 30, Beth Tikvah of Naples hosted the highly regarded one-man play, “Good Jew.” Written by Frank Blocker and Murray Scott Changar, and produced by and starring Frank Blocker, the one-act play introduces the audience to Henryk Altman, a Holocaust survivor who relates his story with its triumphs and faults to an interviewer.

The story is based on Changar’s late father, who escaped the concentration camps of WWII multiple times and even worked for the Resistance. In the play, Altman laments, “Always … I feel like my life does not belong to me. It belongs to Germany still.”

The performance was directed by award-winning New York casting and stage director Jamibeth Margolis.

See GenShoah above for details.

• Jewish Book Festival of Greater Naples will present some Holocaustrelated books.

More information about the books and how to register can be found at www.jewishnaples.org.

• “By the Grace of the Game”

With author Daniel Grunfeld Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon on Zoom

** Sponsored by the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center. Choice for book discussion at GenShoah Potluck on Dec. 18.

• “The Letters Project” by Eleanor Reissa

Monday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. at Beth Tikvah and via Zoom

• “Overture of Hope” by Isabel Vincent

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m. via Zoom

• “Nazi Drawings” at The Baker Museum

Can be viewed until Feb. 19.

Free tickets until Dec. 31 available at www.artisnaples.org.

• Book discussions at South Regional Library: (8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples)

“The Christmas Menorahs” by Janice Cohn

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m.

“Irena’s Children” by Tilar Mazzeo Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m.

Registration Information TBA

bring this program to Naples. Thanks also to the audience for their excellent questions and positive reception, as well as their donations that will be sent to the Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Fund.

Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

Jamibeth is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. The play is on its way to the 2022 United Solo Festival in New York.

Many thanks to Rabbi Amos Chorny and synagogue past-president Shelley Goodman for their efforts to

Frank Blocker, Star of “Good Jew,” at Beth Tikvah with GenShoah members Yvonne and Joe Holtzman

Frank Blocker with GenShoah members Shelley Goodman and Betsy Dougatz

At the Museum

Susan Suarez President & CEO

It has been a very eventful year on many fronts for all of us. Southwest Florida is slowly recovering from the biggest event of all — Hurricane Ian. We are grateful to all those helping our community rebuild — the first responders, the community organizations providing relief to people hardest hit by the storm and the companies coming from near and far to restore power and internet and rebuild infrastructure and homes.

The most wonderful thing was seeing how people have stepped up to help each other before, during and after the storm. It is heartwarming to see that, in this crisis, our common humanity and respect for each other held strong. We’ve witnessed countless examples of kindness and empathy, often in the face of terrible danger. The hashtag “#SWFLStrong” says it all – Southwest Florida will endure and emerge stronger than ever.

North Wing construction underway

Our long-awaited expansion has begun! Designing and creating the Museum’s

new North Wing are David Corban Architect, PBS Contractors and Capitol Museum Services. These firms brought our award-winning new Museum location to fruition in 2019. The North Wing expansion space and renovations will include a new Auschwitz gallery, a large classroom, a new special exhibit gallery and a gallery focused on other genocides and human rights. There will also be restrooms, a small catering kitchen, more storage and education staff offices.

Many thanks to our Board of Directors and the generous donors who made this expansion a reality. Naming opportunities are still available. Please contact me for more information at Susan@HMCEC. org or call 239-263-9200.

The luncheon

The Museum’s annual winter fundraiser takes place on Dec. 7. The program will feature actor/author Tom Dugan performing excerpts from his award-winning oneman play, “Wiesenthal.” A very limited number of tickets may still be available as this December issue of the Federation Star is published. If you are interested in attending, please visit www.HMCEC.org or contact Tim@HMCEC.org.

Many thanks to this year’s sponsors

As of 11/1/22, they are:

Testimony Sponsors: Maureen and Arnold Lerner

Hope Sponsors: Suzanne and Norman Cohn; Rissa Grossman; Fran and Rob Nossen; Estelle and Stuart Price; Nancy White Inspire Sponsors: Goldie and Lou Bertone; Diane and Ron McGinty Patron Sponsors: Shirley and Marshall Besikof; Shelli Halper; Janis Larson; Phyllis and Stephen Strome

David Nelson Lecture Series

The David Nelson Lecture Series, “Stories of the Holocaust,” continues at the Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon. The presentation will focus on “Varian Fry – Th e Artists’ Schindler.” Tickets are $10 and advanced registration is required. Visit www.HMCEC. org to purchase your ticket. Th is is the final lecture in this year’s series created by David, who is the Museum’s education specialist.

GenShoah Annual Potluck at the Museum

GenShoah’s annual potluck dinner will take place at the Museum on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Shelley Lieb at liebro@gmail.com.

End-of-year charitable contributions

Please consider an end-of-year contribution in support of the Museum’s education programs. Your generosity allows us to reach students and teachers across Southwest Florida with year-round impactful programming. By sharing the important lessons of the Holocaust, you help inspire the next generation to stand up to hatred, bigotry and violence. Please contact me for more information and thank you for your consideration.

Coming in January

Sign up now for the “Nazi Looted Art – Unfinished Business” lecture series by Ellaine Rosen. The five-part series begins Jan. 12, 2023. The lectures will be held at the Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. While the lectures are free, a suggested minimum donation of $18 is greatly appreciated. Advance registration is required. Please visit www.HMCEC.org to RSVP.

As the year ends, I would like to acknowledge and express our appreciation to all our dedicated volunteers and generous supporters. Your wonderful contributions of time, talent and financial support makes it possible for us to pursue our mission for the past 21 years. Thank you!

I wish you and your families a Happy Chanukah and a healthy and happy new year ahead. I look forward to seeing you at the Museum and our programs soon!

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CREDIT: DELL RIVER IMAGERY

Varian Fry

Chanukah Yiddish words

By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

What better way to deal with winter than to have Chanukah to celebrate … and to eat.

Chanukah, amongst Yiddish speakers, was a most festive time, especially around Europeans. The way they spoke about wonderful times spent with brothers and sisters, running and screaming around the house. Of cooking with De Mameh and watching her watch the latkes sizzling, of seeing Deh Thateh getting the Menorah ready. Table was set and time came for the B ’raac ’hess to be chanted.

Survivors would sometimes comment quietly about their experiences, wiping away a tear.

Here are a few words about Chanukah that helps jog the memory, including a zinger.

Prayggl

Pronunciation: PRAY ggel

Meaning: In English? To lightly sauté

In a sentence: Bah ins Yeedim?

Amongst us Yiddelc’h?, fry in emisken coc’hekikin boymel.

Fry to the power of the ultimate boiling oil.

Prayggl dee geh toffel pletzlec’h! Fry those potato latkes!

Ah glayz’l tei

Pronunciation: Ah GLAY zel tei

Meaning: A sturdy glass of hot tea,

dark in complexion, miraculously taking on a blushing golden hue.

In a sentence: In ah glayzel tei, miz zaan t’zeh treen un t’zikeh!

In a glass of tea, there must be lemon and sugar!

Kompawt

Pronunciation: KAWM-pawt Meaning: Compote, applesauce. Homemade and hot with little raisin pillows and cinnamon.

In a sentence: In ah kompawt miz zaan rozhinkess! There has to be raisins in applesauce!

Dee lac’ht

Pronunciation: Dee LAC’HT

Meaning: The Lights. The Chanukah candles that grace our homes.

In a sentence: Deh Taateh ot geh bench’t ibbeh dee lac’ht.

Father blessed the Chanukah Lights.

Shit!

Pronunciation: Shit — just like it sounds in English.

Meaning: It’s OK. This is a common Yiddish word that means “to sprinkle or pour something granular.”

In a sentence: Shit aroff ah bisel tzikeh off dee latkes!

Pour a little sugar on these potato latkes!

Temple Shalom events

By Jeanette Fischer, Temple Shalom Director of Communications

The following Temple Shalom events are open to everyone.

Soulful Shabbat

Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Join us for this popular Shabbat service conducted entirely in song and accompanied by the Temple Shalom Band.

Shabbat ShaPLAY

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.

Join Rabbi Boxman for Shabbat ShaPLAY! We will meet at a park and enjoy a fun morning of song, dance and play! All families are welcome. Each family will receive a bag with snacks, drinks, musical instruments and a picnic blanket. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/ShaPlay.

Beading for Betterment

Monday, Dec. 12, noon to 3 p.m. Beading for Betterment is a Temple Shalom project designed to support the greater community. Participants are invited to bead necklaces, bracelets and earrings for the children at Guadalupe Center to give as gifts to the special women in their lives. The $18/person fee includes materials. No cost if you bring your own beads and materials. RSVP to Carol Hirsch at chirsch1951@gmail.com.

Cabaret Night

Sunday, Dec, 4 at 7 p.m. with live entertainment at 7:30 p.m. Come to the cabaret! Don’t miss this great time! We are excited to welcome back the fabulous band, Jebry. Delectable desserts and delicious wine will once again be offered. The cost is $18 per person. Please contact Temple Shalom to RSVP.

Shabbat Torah study

Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

Join this lay-led discussion of the week’s Torah portion via Zoom. Please contact the Temple Shalom office at info@ naplestemple.org for the Zoom link.

Jewish Yoga

Mondays at 10:30 a.m.

Join yoga teacher Missy Balsam as she guides you through an all-levels gentle yoga stretch session interwoven with Jewish spiritual teachings via Zoom. Designed to relieve stress and calm the mind, this class will be practiced lying down and seated on the floor. Open to all, no experience necessary. The cost is $54 for an 8-week session. Call the Temple Shalom office to register and receive the Zoom information.

Sol Awend

Looking forward to seeing you soon

Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

Ipromised to share a couple stories from my European trip. I visited old Jewish ghettos in every Italian town, each unique and important. I’ll just mention two.

Ferrara is home not only to Renaissance magnificence, but a Jewish one as well. Isacco Lampronti, rabbi, physician and author of rabbinical encyclopedia “Pachad Yitzchak,” lived there in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The ghetto in Ferrara is fi lled with Jewish prayer on Shabbat.

Padua is home to the fifth oldest surviving university in the world, where Galileo taught and the first-ever female university graduate got her education and degree. Padua has 1305 Giotto frescos in Scovegni Chapel, Palazzo Zukermann, a museum gifted to this city by a wealthy Jewish industrialist in the early 20th century. It is located near its Jewish ghetto, the largest square of Europe, Piazza Della Pace, which now also bears the name of Yitzhak Rabin, to honor the Jewish connection many Italians feel. With international

travel back in style, hopefully you’ll visit there, too.

There are many reasons why we all need to return to normal. The primary of them, in my book, is that prolonged cloistering shortens lives. I miss the freedom to socialize without restriction, like we practiced in the not-too-long-ago preCOVID-19 days. I am looking forward to returning that feeling, especially to our elderly members. Not all of them came through these trying times unscathed and some of them are now gone forever.

On Sept. 16, 2022, we lost Eugene Goodman, a dear friend of The Society, who passed away at the glorious age of 106. May we all be as blessed as Eugene. We will repeat our Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers original production, “The Song Meister,” a half-hour documentary film on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. through Zoom. JFGN and JHSSWF will e-blast information in early December.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, in partnership with Collier County South Regional Library, we will present “Jack Nortman, Boxcar Education Champion,” the next film in the series, the release of which has been delayed by COVID. Refreshments will be served. Start time is 4:30 p.m. Signup information will be available as soon as possible.

The format and particulars of this event had to be changed to accommodate scheduling conflicts, but Nortman’s

story remains unchanged and his pioneering input to this region’s Holocaust education is as invaluable as ever.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, 4 p.m. at Chabad of Naples, the next film will premiere to familiarize Southwest Florida residents with Edison College (presently, Southwestern) Naples campus’ first-ever Jewish student, Mitch Spaiser. With his family in town since the late 1960s, Mitch’s recollections of days gone by are unlike our other eyewitnesses — he was the youngest of them all.

Active fundraising efforts have been halted since the start of COVID and now, once more, by Hurricane Ian. So, in effect, we will not hold a true fundraiser in 2023. However, we appeal to your gracious generosity and kindness to step up your memberships and donations that help preserve local Jewish history and bring the next round of stories to you live and online.

You may now purchase Jewish Historical Society of SWFL memberships online or mail us a check. A family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. If mailing a check, please send to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #1 255, Naples, FL 34108.

We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouth westflorida.org/.

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Hanukkah Workshop

Promote healing, new ideas and growth

Living in Saratoga, New York and Naples, Florida can bring a host of benefits and confusion. Beginning a new Jewish year, 5783, and soon completing our secular year, 2022, invites introspection. We try to take responsibility for what has occurred and think about what we can do better. We may feel guilty in not doing our very best all the time.

Hurricane Ian struck during the High Holy Days, bringing an unexpected immediacy to the liturgy of “who shall live and who shall die.” I paraphrase Patricia Levinson, Chair of Hadassah International communications and a member of the Hadassah International Board of Directors. She had to evacuate her home in St. Petersburg, Florida during the storm and was fortunate to return to minimal damage. She writes that there is nothing like a hurricane to make you aware of the fragility of life. The entire concept of life and death becomes extremely poignant and relevant.

My mixed emotions of feeling simultaneously blessed and guilty were confusing. I have two homes so, God forbid, if one was damaged, I still have a roof over my

head. My home in Naples was unscathed ... we didn’t even lose power! When I arrived in Naples, I scouted the area that was decimated by the storm and had this nagging feeling, wondering how I could make a bad situation better. Whatever and however we contribute can help us improve the lives of other people and make us better people.

The same is true about Hadassah. Whatever you can do to promote healing, be it emotional, medical, educational, etc., helps you grow as a person as well. Please take an active interest in all we do in Collier and Lee counties and join us in our upcoming events. By joining in, you enrich our lives as well as your own!

• Dec. 4, 2022 – Collier/Lee Hadassah honors its Major Donors and Keepers of the Gate

• Jan. 29, 2023 – Collier/Lee Hadassah Installation and Fashion Show

• Feb. 26, 2023 – Collier/Lee Hadassah honors three outstanding personalities at its “Inspiring Women” event

I must close with a counter to the antisemitism that seems all too pervasive around us these days. Regardless of any affiliation, we must condemn and castigate hatred and bigotry whenever and wherever encountered. We must celebrate diversity; diversity awakens new ideas and growth, while hate and discrimination inhibit new ideas and growth.

I hope to see you all soon.

Collier/Lee Hadassah announces second annual Inspiring Women honorees

By Diane Schwartz

Collier/Lee Hadassah announces and celebrates the 2023 Inspiring Women from Collier and Lee counties. Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, Mia Hyatt and Gail Markham will be honored on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Hadassah is proud to present each honoree with the Lynn Wilner Award in recognition of the chapter’s late past president who inspired so many to join and become active in Hadassah.

Through its programs, training and work around the globe, Hadassah empowers women to learn and lead in their career, volunteer and serve in community leadership roles. With this emphasis in mind, the Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah created the Inspiring Women event to recognize the importance, value and impact empowered women make in our communities.

Th e honorees used their leadership skills, dedication, experience, generosity and time to make a difference in their organizations and the quality of our lives. Ultimately, their efforts impact so many people in our communities and Hadassah is proud to honor these Inspiring Women.

“It’s exciting to recognize Dr. Faffer, Mia Hyatt and Gail Markham not only for their individual accomplishments but also for their impact,” said chapter President Joyce Toub. “Geared to the community as well as Hadassah members, attendees and supporters of these Inspiring Women will have an opportunity to celebrate their talents and gifts, and their passion for what they do.”

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

A visionary leader in the field of human services for over 35 years, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer is the president/CEO of Naples Senior Center at JFCS, a nonsectarian human services agency. She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Tulane University and her doctoral degree in social welfare from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.

Past positions include director of human services at UJAFederation of New York, where she was responsible for planning and allocations for 11 New York human service agencies, director of adult and geriatric psychiatry and social work at Brunswick Psychiatric Hospital on Long Island and CEO/executive director of Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service of South Palm Beach County.

Dr. Faffer has served as a consultant to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on issues related to the psychological impact of chronic illness. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Adelphi University, Hunter College, Wurzweiler and Barry University Graduate Schools of Social Work. Dr. Faffer has published numerous articles in juried professional journals on social work practice and administration and human resource development.

She is past chair of the Collier County Leadership Coalition on Aging and is a

graduate of Greater Naples Leadership Class XVIII, where she serves on the Board. In July 2014, Dr. Faffer attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program for CEOs, Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management. In March 2016, Dr. Faffer was recognized by the Naples Daily News in its 2016 class of “25 over 50” for the impact she has had in the Collier County community. She was recently appointed as Chair of the Collier County Dementia Care and Cure Initiative by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Mia Hyatt

Mia Hyatt is a vice president and private banker in the Naples office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. With a 15-year career in financial services, she provides experienced advisory guidance for the wealth management needs of her clients, including investment management, strategic planning and asset allocation. Most recently, she was a vice president at FineMark National Bank & Trust as a private wealth advisor/portfolio manager attending to the sophisticated needs of high-net-worth clients. Prior to FineMark, she spent seven years at Wasmer Schroeder, focused on fixed income.

Hyatt has a B.S. in International Economics from the University of Florida. She has her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional. Hyatt is the vice president of the CFA Society Naples and is a co-founder of SWFL Women in Investment Management. She is on the advisory board of the Salvation Army-Naples. Mia was previously a volunteer for Guardian ad Litem of Collier County, serving as an advocate for abused, neglected and abandoned children. Hyatt is a member of the Leadership Collier Class of 2021 and of GAIN (Growing Associates in Naples), class of 2012. She was also a Gulfshore Business 40 under 40 award recipient in 2021.

Gail Markham

The founding partner of Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Gail Markham graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland College of Business and Management.

Markham has extensive experience in litigation support services, family mediation and forensic accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.

Markham is being recognized for her commitment to her community through business leadership and philanthropy. A noted and recognized business leader, she is chair of the advisory board of the Lee

Country Industrial Development Authority and a member of the Charter Class and Charter Steering Committee of the Chamber of Southwest Florida, Leadership Lee County.

Committed to her community, Markham is also a trustee and vice chair of the SWFL Community Foundation (Collaboratory). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the FGCU Foundation, Finance Committee and a member of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. She founded the Lee County PACE Center for Girls which she chaired for seven years. The PACE Center for Girls envisions a world where all girls and young women have power in a just and equitable society.

Some of the highlight honors bestowed upon Markham include the 2022 ERC Thomas Burrage Award from the Expert Resource Connection honoring professionals who display expertise in business valuation and forensic accounting and offer mentorship to future leaders and philanthropy to their community; the 2018 Gulfshore Business Lifetime Achievement Award; and in consecutive years, the 2011

Gulfshore Life magazine Woman of the Year Award and 2010 Gulfshore Life magazine Philanthropist of the Year Award. Accounting Today honored her firm as the Best Accounting Firm to Work For 2020-2022. You are invited to mark your calendar for the Feb. 26, 2023 event, a brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Audubon Country Club. For information and to receive an invitation, please email collierleehadassah@gmail.com

IF YOU GO

2023 Inspiring Women Presented by Collier/Lee Hadassah

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Where: Audubon Country Club 625 Audubon Blvd., Naples

Email collierleehadassah@gmail.com for information and to receive an invitation.

WE CLEAN THEM ALL®

Dr.

Jaclynn Faffer

Mia Hyatt

Gail Markham

Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. (V) – Gioia Diliberto

Thursday, Nov. 17 at 2 P.M. (V)

Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon (V) – Daniel Grunfeld

Monday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. (P/V) – Eleanor Reissa

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. (V) – Jen Spyra

Wednesday, Jan. 4 at noon (P/V) – Cathy Barrow

Thursday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. (V) – Isabel Vincent

Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. (V) – Eileen Kathy Pollack

Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. (P/V) – Marjorie Margolies

Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. (P/V) – Shaunna Edwards and Alyson Richman

Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. (V) – Lori Banov Kaufmann

Friday, Mar. 3 at 1 p.m. (V) – Mallory Smith with speaker Diane Smith

Tuesday, Mar. 14 at 2 p.m. (V) – Erica Katz

Wednesday, Mar. 22 at 2 p.m. (P/V) – Jen Maxfield and Ira Rosen

Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival is Presented by

A special Thank You to our Patrons

PLATINUM

Patti Bloom

Pete Bloom

Sue Bookbinder

Norman Cohn

Suzanne Cohn

Gayle Dorio

Susie Goldsmith

Frank Baum

Stacey Baum

Emily Berkowitz

Penni Blaskey

Libbie Bramson

Rhonda Brazina

Cipora Brown

Terri David

Louise Forman

Spencer Forman

Susan Garelick

Jan Goldman

Diane Goldstein

Carole Greene

Nancy Armocida

Tracy Askotzky

Harvey Becker

Joan Becker

Lea Bendes

Carole Berkowitz

Rosalyn Bernstein

Paula Blachman

Jamie Blatter

Beverly Blazar

Rosalee Bogo

Patti Boochever

Tim Broms

Diane Clarke

Dorothy Collens

Ann Cowen

Myra Cristall

Susan Dean

Sandy Diamond

Marty Dorio

Benjamin Dubin

Geri Feldman

Marilyn Fishbone

Sheila Frank Nancy Garfinkel

Priscilla Gerber Molly Getnick Heidi Gilbert

Mel Goldfine

Larry Israelite

Pamela Karll Anna Levin

Leda Lubin

Robin Mintz

Jackie Paulson

Susan Pittelman

Stuart Price

Estelle Price

Judy Roth

Sam Roth

Jane Schiff

Arlene Shapiro

Donald Shapiro

Phyllis Strome

Sherry Greenfield

Linda Grusin

Ronna Hain

Linda Hamburger

Carol Hirsch

Judy Isserlis

Bobbie Katz

Fran Kroll

Debbie Laites

Bernie Lashinsky

Dana Lefkowitz

Gayle Levy

Marci Margolis

Mae Riefberg

SILVER BRONZE

Hannah Goodman

Rochelle Goodman

Ellen Gordon Arlene Griff

Marti Gross

Susan Hager

Lee Henson

Deborah Hermalyn

Janet Herring

Burton Hirsch

Linda Hirsch

Susan Horowitz

Susan Jordan

Toby Kosloff

Gracia Kuller

Barbara Kushnir

Lisa Lauber

Judi Lazan

Lynette Lederman

Linda Lerner

Arlene Levin

Hilda Levine

Michelle Levine-Troupp

Harriet Lickhalter

Ida Margolis Harriet Matz

Stephen McCloskey Sheila Mesulam

Audrey Meyer

Rochelle Miller

Elyse Morande

Karen Mullins

Sara Newman

Mary O’Haver

Barbara Ostrolenk

Ann Packman

David Packman

Barbara Paganelli

Judi Palay

Karen Pam

Judith C. Picus

John Reiches

Sue Reiver

Deedee Remenick

Ellen Rodwick

Muriel Rosenfeld

Lanie Samuels

Sandra Sanfilippo

Deborah Schreier

Stephen Schreier

Avra Schwab

Diane Schwartz Harriet Schweitzer

Millie Sernovitz

Linda Shapess

Jane Shaw Marilyn Shesko

Susan Ritter

Barbara Ross

Jackie Sallade Z”L

Joan Saperstein

Iris Shur

Linda Singer

Linda Smith

Arlene Sobol

Elaine Soffer

Joyce Toub

Linda Wainick

Leslie Wasserman

Leona Wreschner

Judy Zahn

Mark Shiffman

Anita Siegal

Cathy Silver

Linda Simon

Shellie Specter

Dan Spintman

Judi Spintman

Leslie Springman

Hal Stein

Sharon Stein

Marilyn Storch

June Streisand

Denise Sultan

Ann Swartz

Shira Swartz

Allison Tucker

Joan Vazakas

Sydelle Weinberger

Suellen Weiner

Ellen Weisberg

Linda Wertheim

Goldie Wetcher

Jack Wiadro

Nancy Wiadro

Barbara Winthrop

Susan Yale

Steven Yussen

Cathy Zacks

Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival is presented by Jewish Federation©

Unique humor, nonpareil creativity

Review of “Big Time” by Jen Spyra

Reviewed by Carole J Greene

This book may not be for you if you are easily offended by repeated use of the f*** bomb plus frequent sexual references. But if you watch any R-rated movies or if you’ve recently listened to conversations in any food court, such things won’t faze you. Even if those utterances are repugnant to you, I implore you to give the book a chance, so you can discover a truly creative mind at work.

“Big Time” by Jen Spyra, former staff writer for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Onion,” is a collection of bizarre short stories, each one pushing the envelope of imagination a bit further than the one before. If you are the kind of reader who likes to figure out the ending of a story before it is revealed, you will be surprised, bemused, perhaps shocked by the twists Spyra comes up with. You might hear yourself muttering, “No, surely she wouldn’t…” and then she does.

The stories run the gamut from amusing to comical to off-the-charts hilarious. I’ll share with you a couple of back-cover blurbs. Mindy Kaling, writer, producer and director, says: “When I first met Jen, I thought she was a deeply funny, normal woman. After reading her hilarious book of stories, I see she is even funnier than I thought,

though exponentially less normal. It’s a pretty good trade-off.”

Another writer, producer, director — Tina Fey — says: “Jen Spyra’s stories are shocking, silly, smart, and absurdly funny. Underline both those words. I don’t care how much it costs!”

Spyra’s creativity produces this, in the story titled “Birthday Girl,” when a friend tells the protagonist what she is giving the birthday girl, Molly, for a gift: “Yeezy Moonbeam boots in ‘Oil,’ a bronze cast of Molly’s torso mounted on a polished hunk of maple harvested from her childhood home’s backyard, a monogrammed alpaca blanket, a monthly cheese subscription, and an exercise bike.” Think about it. What kind of mind would create such gifts, each one more ridiculous than the last? Answer: Jen Spyra’s. You have to laugh. Have to.

In the book’s final story, titled “Big Time,” the protagonist is Ruby Russell, a starlet under contract to a Hollywood studio in the 1940s. She is starting to make a name for herself when she miraculously time travels to today and winds up as one of the prospective fiancées on the TV series

“The Bachelor.” (Are you with me so far? Navigating one of Spyra’s creations takes a bit of effort — but it’s worth it.) Ruby finds herself one of 30 women vying for the affections of the bachelor. Twenty-seven of them are named some spelling of Kaylee — Kayleigh B., Kaylee C., K-Li W., Kaeli T., Kayli B., ad infinitum. The bio of one Kayleigh S. notes that she “is Lee Harvey Oswald’s great-niece;” after she exercises, “she rewards herself with a homebaked protein bar,” and she “does not look away when she gets her blood drawn.” As if any of that matters. But to Spyra, it all adds up to hilarity.

Do read this book. You’ll come to ignore the profanity and sexual events. You’ll be too busy laughing. I’m sure she’ll scrub clean her Jewish Book Festival presentation via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to Jewish Book Festival (jewishnaples. org) and scroll to the date.

Kudos to The Baker Museum!

Getting to know the work of Mauricio Lasansky, an Argentinian Jewish artist in the United States.

By Luba Laufer Rotsztain

For some of us, the ones calling Naples home and the snowbirds enjoying Greater Naples part-time, the word “paradise” is fitting.

In many ways, we live in “paradise” — great weather, amazing sunsets and nature, and numerous stimulating activities to enrich our lives.

The programs provided by Artis— Naples, with its music, ballet, opera and theater presentations, and The Baker Museum’s exhibitions of all kinds featur ing international and local artists, stand at the top of the list of reasons I love living in this city.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the first Masterwork concert of the 202223 season and, being late to attend the “prelude” before the performance, decided to visit the museum and look at the new exhibitions.

Only a minute or so after I entered the main floor exhibition, I had to stop, surprised and very deeply moved by what I was looking at.

The exhibition is by Mauricio Lasan sky. Titled “Envisioning Evil: ‘The Nazi Drawings,’” it is a series of 33 monumental graphite and charcoal drawings the artist started in 1961 as his way to grapple with the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The exhibition is organized by the Min neapolis Institute of Art and lent by The Levitt Foundation. The presentation of it at The Baker Museum is curated by Rang sook Yoon, Ph.D., curator of modern art.

My initial surprise was due to where those powerful drawings were — not in a Holocaust Museum or a Jewish institu tion, but at The Baker Museum, a small, excellent museum in the city of Naples. In a museum that I felt wants to carry out the important task of uniting the teaching of history and the power of art to enlighten the community where I live. Hats off to the museum. I applaud management’s “guts.”

My strong impression was followed by the realization that I had a personal con nection with the artist and the exhibition.

Mauricio Lasansky, born in Argentina, started the series of drawings in 1961, at the time Adolf Eichman was being tried in Jerusalem for his criminal participation in the Holocaust.

Like Lasansky, I was born in Argentina, where thousands of Jews were finding, in a piecemeal way, the atrocities occur ring in Europe and looking feverishly at survivors lists to see if, by luck, any name was familiar.

There was not one person among the thousands in Buenos Aires, where I lived at the time, who did not have a fam ily member, a friend, a neighbor killed in the Holocaust. And I remember as a child, going with my parents to the ser vices in their memory, where everyone was crying, all terribly sad but comforted by being together and by lighting the big white candles, one of which was for the killed children.

I was in Buenos Aires in 1960, when the Mosad found Eichman, Nazi war criminal and the creator of the “Final Solution,” living in the middle of the city. They whisked him away to Israel to stand trial.

With the news all over the city, plus the political crisis, it was a horrendous awakening for me.

How could this happen in the beautiful city where I lived? So far from Germany, with seemingly no connection with the happenings there and where we Jews have learned to avoid conflicts and lead quite a peaceful existence and … suddenly, this horrible Nazi, the perpetrator of the most horrendous crimes in history, respon sible for the death of millions, is found living a bus ride away from where I lived?

It was incredible and terrifying but, as I remember it now, it should have been a call to being more attentive to what was happening around me.

Only years later, when honeymooning in Bariloche, a beautiful resort in Pata gonia, I learned of the large number of Nazis living unperturbed in my country.

I was also living in Israel in 1961, when the Eichman trial was underway and 90 Holocaust survivors testified against him. It was so emotionally disturbing to watch Eichman, sitting in the glass booth, looking like an ordinary office worker, undisturbed by the emotional testimonies. He did not look like a mass murderer, and yet …

This is why I felt emotionally con nected to Lasansky when I was viewing “The Nazi Drawings.”

Lasansky started creating the series, coinciding with the televised trial of Adolf Eichman, as the magnitude of the atroci ties became known to the world and as the world finally began to understand what the Holocaust was.

Lasansky focused on the horror of the Holocaust in “The Nazi Drawings.” He also wanted to remember all the Nazi vic tims — the Roma, the Sinti, the ethnic Pol ish children, the Soviet POWs, and more — and he worried that minorities in the future were at risk of similar genocides. He wanted to universalize the tragedy with the apathy and indifference of the bystanders.

These are not subtle works; they are executed with a purpose and with pro found feeling, combining Lasansky’s rage with his extraordinary craftsmanship

The drawings are intense and upsetting, haunting and formidable — and they will stay with you.

Lasansky chose to record his reaction to the Holocaust with the simplest media available: five-cent pencils, earth colors and a turpentine wash on common com mercial paper.

The drawings were designed as a unit, numbered in sequential order. He made the drawings life-size to give the feeling of a one-to-one interaction with the viewer. And each drawing, which could have been a caricature, became a brutal documentary of a horrible event in the mid-20th century.

The drawings elicit an emotion no his tory book could ever communicate.

I invite all of you to visit the exhibition. You will be moved and inspired.

When the community gathered a few weeks ago for the 84th Kristallnacht com memoration program, we repeated out loud, “Never again.”

If we are going to live up to the moral of never again, we have to look at these

drawings and learn from them. If we learn from history, we know that never again will happen only when we all do our part.

When we react against bigotry, per secution and evil actions, we can all do something.

This exhibition is telling me that we owe it to those we mourn at Kristallnacht, and we owe it to our children and future generations. I hope you’ll feel the same.

Some artists feel compelled to pro vide art not just to be viewed, but to be acted upon, to be judged less on aesthetic grounds than by the power of its convictions.

I found these words inspiring and fully expressed in Lasansky’s drawings.

About the artist

Mauricio Leib Lasansky (Oct. 12, 1914) was an Argentine artist and educator known both for his advanced techniques in significantly expanding the possibili ties of intaglio printmaking, a process in which an image is created on the surface of a metal plate using a range of tech niques such as etching, dry point, aquatint and engraving

The son of Eastern European Jews, he first studied printmaking and engraving from his Polish father, who had made a living in those fields.

He displayed early promise, show ing favorably at the Mutualidad Fine Arts Exhibition in Buenos Aires with an honorable mention at age 16 and a prize at age 17 for sculpture.

He entered the Superior School of Fine Arts in his hometown in 1933. Three years later, Lasansky began his career as direc tor of the Free Fine Arts School in Villa María, Argentina.

Through school and the decade, he held this directorship while exhibiting exten sively, culminating in a solo retrospective exhibition at the Galleria Muller in Buenos Aires in 1943.

Argentina was at a time of political unrest. Perón was getting more powerful, and it became more difficult for artists to express themselves openly.

Francis Taylor, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at that time, saw some of Lasansky’s work while on a trip to Argentina. Under his rec ommendation, Lasansky was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in New York, the first of five Guggenheim Awards the artist would receive.

He relocated to New York City in 1943 and eventually chose to remain, becoming a citizen of the United States.

He dedicated his first several months in the United States to studying the extensive print collection of the Metro politan Museum of Art, experimenting with modern art techniques in his own work at Atelier 17 in New York, absorb ing techniques in intaglio and particularly investigating the work of Picasso, who was a major influence.

Other influences include El Greco, Goya, Modigliani, Chagall and Stanley William Hayter.

In 1945, he took his first position at the University of Iowa as a visiting lecturer for graphic arts.

Within three years, he would become a full professor and ultimately would estab lish its school of printmaking, offering the first master of fine arts program in the field in the United States.

In the 1960s, Time magazine dubbed him “the nation’s most influen tial printmaker, and the Department of Graphic Arts at the University of Iowa as the Printmaking Capital of the United States.”

He remained with the program until his retirement in 1984, whereafter he continued as a practicing artist.

He also became involved in Atelier 17, the printmaking workshop founded by eminent English artist Stanley William Hayter. Many artists, including Lasansky, worked extensively at the Atelier 17, for mulating new methods and creating new techniques for their subjects as well as their prints. Several were later invited to develop printshops in university art departments around the country.

Mauricio Lasansky working on “The Nazi Drawings” in his studio, 1962, Vinalhaven, Maine. Photo courtesy the Lasansky Corporation

“Envisioning Evil: ‘The Nazi Drawings’ by Mauricio Lasansky” is organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art and lent by The Levitt Foundation.

In 1967, when “The Nazi Drawings” was exhibited at the Whitney, Lasansky spoke with The New York Times about the work’s long, difficult gestation.

“The Hitler years were in my belly, and I tried many times to do the drawings,” he said. “But I was too worldly about them, too aesthetic. The trouble was, I thought of them as art. But then I decided, the hell with it. Why don’t I just put down what I feel? The fact is that people were killed — how cool can you play that? I was full of hate, poison and I wanted to spit it out.”

By 1952, he had received a great deal of recognition, prizes and awards. To this day, it serves as a model for numerous other university printmaking departments led by many of Lasansky’s former students.

Best known for large scale prints in which he uses multiple plates and full ranges of color, Lasansky combines a spectrum of graphic techniques including etching, dry point, aquatint and engraving.

Lasansky has devoted himself to exploring the expressive possibilities of graphic arts. He has amassed a body of prints considered to be some of the most powerful and impressive in contemporary art. As a result, he has become one of the first in a generation of important printmakers to teach scores of students, who, in turn, are teaching scores of future generations in this country.

For all these reasons, he is considered to be one of the “Fathers of 20th Century American Printmaking.”

His work is represented in more than 100 public collections. His prints are in the permanent collections of the National

Gallery of Art in Washington, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Brooklyn Museum, and elsewhere.

Internationally recognized, he has been exhibited throughout North America, South America, Europe and Russia. Sotheby’s identifies him as one of the fathers of modern printmaking.

Jody Hovland, the narrator of the YouTube video “Inside the Image,” produced by the University of Iowa, says about Lasansky’s work, “he taught a whole generation of new American printmakers, who later developed programs in colleges across the nation. His work has been enjoyed all over the world. It has touched and inspired people and persuaded us to think.”

Lasansky was one of the most influential artists, teachers and philosophers in the art world. He brought printing to the status of painting and sculpture along with creating innovating printmaking techniques.

Quoting Lasansky about how to approach a work of art: “The first lesson about looking at a work of art is you get naked to look at, no preconceptions, let the work guide you, if it does not guide you… it’s not a work of art…”

Mauricio Lasansky died in Iowa City on April 2, 2012. He was 97 years old.

Information for this article taken from different websites on the internet about Mauricio Lasansky; video by the Minneapolis Institute of Art, lent by the Lewitt Foundation, “Envisioning Evil, The Nazi Drawings,” Mauricio Lasansky; and YouTube video by the University of Iowa: “Inside the Image.”

The Newman Family in Hollywood

An American dream

By Arlene Stolnitz

Iguess I don’t pay much attention to the credits while watching movies. But this summer, while watching the Abramovits’ streamed lectures from the Stirling Library in Broward County, Florida, I was introduced to the Newman Family. They are a storied “Old Hollywood Family” whose works in musical scores are legendary.

We know of Schmuel Gelbfisz, later known as Samuel Goldwyn, and Harry and Jack Warner, Polish cobbler’s boys who made the “big time” in Hollywood. But I had never heard of this incredible Newman family until I viewed that lecture series this summer on TV.

The most nominated Academy Award extended family, the Newman Family has collected 92 Academy Award nominations in various music categories! The family consists of musicians, composers, music directors and songwriters. Their names: Alfred, Emil, Lionel, Randy, Thomas, Maria (the only female) and grandson, Joey. To list their accomplishments is astounding … cousins Thomas and Randy were nominated in 2020 for an Academy Award for “1917;” Uncle Lionel was nominated for best score for “Hello Dolly;” and Alfred’s youngest son was nominated for 15 Oscars, just to name a few!

Their story begins with the patriarch of the family, Alfred Alan Newman, born in 1901 in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of an immigrant Ukrainian fruit peddler. Alfred was the eldest of seven sons and three daughters. As a piano prodigy, he had a varied career in music. Eventually, he wound up in Hollywood after a prolific career in composing, directing and arranging on Broadway. He was one of the first musicians to work as a composer and conductor during Hollywood’s Golden Age of movies.

Highly respected in the “industry,” he, along with Max Steiner and Dimitri Tiomkin, are known as the “three godfathers of film music.” His career spanned four decades and included over 200 scores he composed for films. His filmography includes names such as “Love is a ManySplendored Thing,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Anastasia,” “Song of Bernadette,” “The King and I,” and his final score, “Airport.” There are countless others, too many to name here. The list is available on the internet as are the awards received for each film.

Do you remember the fanfare associated with the 20th Century Fox studio logo at the start of each fi lm? Alfred is best known for composing this fanfare. Before working for 20th Century Fox, he also composed fanfares for productions by Samuel Goldwyn and David O. Selznick. (As an interesting aside, I was able to view on YouTube, the 20th Century Fox logo history from 1933 to present, a fascinating 6-minute session. Alfred is credited in the very beginning as the composer of the logo, with others adding to it later.)

Alfred died in 1970 after an epic career, greatly influencing those who came after him.

Currently, the patriarch of the family is Randy, age 78, who has made his mark on the industry as well. In 2007, he was honored by the Walt Disney Company as a Disney Legend. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

I am always looking for how these musicians express themselves Jewishly. I found an interesting clip about Randy which I share with you.

“Newman’s parents were non-observant Jews. Newman is an atheist. He has said that religion or any sense of religious identity was completely absent in his childhood. To illustrate this, he has often recounted in interviews an antisemitic incident that occurred when he was young: he was invited by a classmate to be her date to a cotillion at her Los Angeles country club, the Riviera Country Club. He accepted the invitation but was subsequently disinvited by the girl’s father, who told Newman that his daughter should never have invited him because Jews were not allowed at the club. Newman hung up the phone, then went to ask his own father what a “Jew” was.”

Nonetheless, the Jewish Historical Association of New Haven has honored the Newman Family for their accomplishments in the film industry. Somewhere I recall reading that the old Newman homestead in New Haven is the location today of the JHA of NH.

Arlene Stolnitz, a retired educator, has been a regular contributor to Federation papers in Southwest Florida. Her interest in all kinds of Judaic music has led to this series of articles.

Arlene Stolnitz

Hallmark’s Hanukkah miracle, very Jewish series, Menzel and more Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

Editor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in, or identify with, a faith other than Judaism. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish.

The Hallmark Channel will finally give the Jewish community a “sort-of” Hanukkah gift. Yes, Jewish characters have appeared, now and again, in the original Christmas films that Hallmark releases every year. But I believe this is the first time that Hallmark is releasing a “straightout,” just about Hanukkah original movie. By the way, in 2022, Hallmark has/will release(d) 39 original new Christmas movies and, well, one Hanukkah movie.

The film is entitled “Hanukkah Rye” and it will be released on the first day of the holiday (Dec. 18). Here’s the capsule plot: Molly (Lisa Loeb, 54) and Jacob (Jeremy Jordan, 37) are put together by a matchmaker and things are going great until they find out that they run competing delis. Will there be a Hanukkah miracle that will keep them together?

Loeb is a singer-songwriter best known for her 1994 hit song “Stay.” She has managed to keep her career alive in varied

projects even though she has never regained her late ’90s popularity. It’s nice to note that she and her Jewish husband have two kids. He’s had a pretty good career as a Broadway musical actor. Jordan’s mother is Jewish.

Catch-up corner

“Fleishman is in Trouble” is a “very Jewish” 8-episode mini-series that started streaming Nov. 17 on FX/Hulu (new episodes weekly). It’s based on the novel of the same name by New York Times journalist Stephanie “Taffy” Brodesser-Akner, 46.

The novel and the series are about a just-divorced Jewish couple. It was a bitter divorce. The couple are Toby Fleishman, a physician (Jesse Eisenberg, 39) and Rachel (Claire Danes), a successful talent agent.

The couple’s two best friends (who are Jewish) are quite important characters. The friends are Seth (Adam Brody, 42) and Libby (Lizzy Caplan, 40). Josh Radnor, 48, plays Libby’s Jewish husband.

Early in the novel/series, Rachel disappears, leaving Toby with their two children. We see Toby trying to juggle his kids, new women and his job. In the midst of all this, Toby has a revelation: his wife’s disappearance is tied to things that happened in their marriage that he’s never honestly faced.

On Dec. 9, Disney+ will begin streaming a documentary about singer/actress Idina Menzel, 51. Entitled, “Which Way to the Stage,” the film will cover her life and career. It will end with her headlining a Madison Square Garden concert.

Menzel’s first big break came as a star of the hit stage musical “Rent” (1996). She became nationally well known as a star of the musical “Wicked” (2003). Worldwide fame followed as she provided the voice of Elsa in the megahit “Frozen” series of animated flicks.

“The Whale,” which opens in theaters on Dec. 9, stars Brendan Fraser as Charlie, a man who tries to make contact with his estranged daughter because he fears that he will die soon. Charlie left his family for another man. The man died and Charlie, guilty about his death, responded by becoming morbidly obese. Advance reviews are mostly positive, but this film is clearly not for everyone.

The film was directed by Darren Arnofsky, 53. None of his films are “easy” watches (His hits include “The Wrestler” and “Black Swan”).

I don’t particularly like “Yellowstone,” a modern Western series, and its frontier prequel, “1883.” But they have found an audience on Paramount+ and, on Dec. 19,

another prequel, entitled “1923,” will premiere. All three series center on the Dutton family. “1923” will follow the family as it deals with Prohibition and the Great Depression. Harrison Ford, 80 (whose mother was Jewish) plays Jacob Dutton, the family’s patriarch. Helen Mirren plays Cara, Jacob’s wife.

Damien Chazelle has had a very good record as a writer and director. His films include “Whiplash” — a modest box office hit which critics loved — and “La La Land,” which everyone loved. Chazelle got the best director Oscar for “La La” and the film won five more. (Fun fact: while Chazelle was raised Catholic, he went to a New Jersey Jewish day school for four years. His parents thought it was the best local school.)

Chazelle is the director and writer of “Babylon,” which opens in theaters on Dec. 23. The film is about the transition to talking films in the 1920s. It stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie. Jeff Garlin , 60, has an important supporting role. Irving Thalberg, the head of MGM film production in the ’20s and early ’30s, is a character in the film.

The film’s score is by Justin Hurwitz, 37. He won an Oscar for best score for “La La Land.” He and Chazelle were Harvard roommates.

January 9, 10:30 AM

Terry will update his "Biden: One Year Later" presentation with a second year of activity. Specifically, he will look at what Biden promised, what he delivered, what he failed to do, and why.

About the Presenter

Terry Weiner is the Chauncy H. Winters Professor of Comparative Social Analysis in the Political Science Department at Union College in NY.

The FBI never found the answer; however, Mel has his own answer as to his kidnapping and the threat of imminent death. He will tell you his theory along with his planned escape after three days in captivity. He will tell you why he turned down appearances on the Dick Cavett show, the Wally Phillips Show, and Late Night with Ted Koppel and more. You also will hear the evidence he left at each place he was taken and why the thugs pleaded guilty. Join Mel for a return to the scene he has not visited since 1973.

Scan the QR code to register. Or go to www.mcanaples.org.

This event is for MCA members only. Scan the QR code or goto www.mcanaples.org to join.

Biden: Two Years Later presented by Terry Weiner, PhD

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

The kitchen table in Beth and Martin’s apartment was covered with papers. There were utility bills, grocery receipts, doctors’ prescriptions and an occasional scratch-off lottery ticket, symbolic of the no-win situation currently characterizing the couple’s finances.

Martin shook his head. “I don’t know what to do. Everything we buy now costs double or triple what it cost last year.”

Beth rubbed Martin’s shoulders. “Lots of seniors are in the same boat. Our neighbors have given up eating out. Our friends cut down on driving to see their grandkids and one of the ladies at Temple just downsized to a studio apartment.”

Beth took a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to hear this,” she said, “but it’s time to call the kids.”

Unfortunately, Martin and Beth are not alone. Although they’ve been frugal all their lives, the current economic downturn is more than the family budget can bear.

According to CBS News’ online “Money Watch” (Oct. 6, 2022), reporter Aimee Picchi found that “even before inflation spiked in 2022, more seniors were falling into poverty,” with the ranks of poor seniors topping nearly one million. Many seniors are facing retirement incomes and savings accounts that are being swallowed up by runaway inflation – a situation that prompted Beth to propose the unthinkable.

She pressed forward. “Martin, let’s discuss it. We need to ask our children for financial help.”

Reluctantly, Martin agreed. “So, what do we do? I mean, we can’t just pick up the phone!”

Although Beth and Martin were not regulars at their local synagogue, they turned first to their Jewish traditions to determine if there was rabbinic guidance.

Martin wondered, “Is there any direction beyond the commandment to ‘Honor your father and your mother’?” He found that the Torah states the commandment twice, a clue to the importance the Torah gives to parent/child relationships. In addition, our greatest sage, Maimonides notes that an adult child is responsible for the care of elderly parents, unless a serious condition such as dementia requires that the parent receive specialized assistance. If not, Maimonides’ contemporary, Rabbi Abraham ben David, notes “who but the children can provide an appropriate level of loving care?” – implying that, in ancient times, no one but their adult child was more qualified to care for elderly parents.

“That was then,” Martin said. “This is now. We’ve always helped our kids financially when they needed it. Asking them for help now is humiliating.”

Beth knew their financial problems were not unique. When a good friend confided that she was “on the edge” financially, Beth shared her own anxieties and asked, “So what did you do?”

Beth’s friend found it was easier to ask her children for help when she shared her pastor’s sermon. In the words of Pastor John K. Jenkins, spiritual leader of the First Baptist Church in Glenarden, Maryland, “Parents shouldn’t have to beg their adult children to take care of them. In fact, adult children should set aside money each month specifically to be used to care for an elderly mom and dad.”

Martin and Beth made a plan to speak with their children and found the information they needed to move forward in an article on CreditCards.com.

Financial planners suggest that before a family discussion takes place, parents should organize their finances so that they can share specifics – an essential Step One

Step Two requires that the parents ask the family to meet together. All the children should be present so there is no confusion about the specifics of their parents’ financial situation. Financial consultants advise that the family meeting be discreet and apart from family celebrations.

Step Three suggests that the parents consider holding the meeting in a neutral venue and invite a third party to moderate. Meeting in an attorney’s office or in the home of a trusted friend will offer a level of objectivity that may be necessary if there are family rivalries or contentions between siblings or parents.

Step Four requires that parents avoid “tit for tat” statements such as, “We sacrificed for you, now it’s your turn.” Adult children who are made to feel guilty will become resentful and angry, closing the door on further discussion.

A healthy Step Five requires that parents set ego aside and share honestly about income and expenses. The children need to understand the specifi cs of the situation — even if those specifics might include poor investments or frivolous purchases.

These are difficult times, especially for aging parents. A practical approach that includes love and compassion can make current financial challenges easier to bear.

For 10 years, Rabbi Barbara Aiello served the Aviva Campus for Senior Life (Sarasota, FL) as resident rabbi. Her most popular columns are now published in her new book, “Aging Jewishly,” available on Amazon books. Rabbi Barbara now lives and works in Italy, where she is rabbi of Italy’s first Reconstructionist synagogue. Contact her at Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com.

Rabbi Barbara Aiello

By Chef Dalia

They’re making sufganiyot on the streets of Israel; Hanukkah must be near. It’s my favorite time of year. It’s sufganiyot time.

Actually, it started feeling like Hanukkah in Israel about two days after Sukkot, when the first vendors started frying the delicious and caloric sufganiyot in vats of oil in front of bakeries and on the street in towns throughout the country.

Nothing in Israel says Hanukkah like “sufganiyot!” These very yummy, jellyfilled (these days, filled with almost any sweet flavor under the sun) globs of fried dough lovingly sprinkled with a dusting of white sugar are everywhere in Israel.

Seriously, my family waits all year for this.

The opportunity to eat the world’s best sufganiyot for dinner (yes, we don’t feed the kids beforehand, this is not dessert, this is dinner) is amazing and worthy of excitement.

A sufganiya (doughnut), if you have to delve deeply into its definition, is a “food made from dough fried in deep oil.”

In recent years, some choose to bake the sufganiya to reduce calories. Others feel the most important ingredient in Hanukkah food is the oil.

Every year, people who watch their weight ask me, “If I allow myself only one sufganiya this year, what should it be?”

Without a doubt, the answer this year is salty sufganiyot, or a sufganiya sandwich, is the only sufganiyot you need. Thought you’d seen it all in the over-the-top sufganiyot? Well, think again.

A tradition is a tradition, and I am not going to break it. Almost. Although fried, they are salty and full of twists, including an offer to fill a layer of fried eggplant (it’s still Hanukkah food, it’s fried) and top it with matbocha salad and tahini.

My version of the sufganiya is actually an incarnation of three different recipes that came together into one upgraded version of a salty (and not dairy) sufganiya.

First, is the recipe for my “challah bread.” The second inspiration comes from “traditional sufganiyot with a twist!” — a recipe in which the addition of mashed potatoes enriches the dough and gives it an especially airy and soft texture. Finally, the third recipe came from the sfenj (Moroccan donuts).

The dough combines well and brings a change to the traditional sufganiyot with surprising flavors, especially good for those who are not fond of sweet flavors. The sufganiya can also be used to make buns in the spirit of the Hanukkah celebration to serve when entertaining the family.

Salty Sufganiyot

Ingredients

• 6 cups bread flour

• 6 Tbsp. sugar

• 2 flat Tbsp. dry yeast

• 1½ cups water

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 2 medium potatoes cooked and mashed into cold mashed potatoes

• 1 Tbsp. salt

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

• 1 Tbsp. tahini sauce

• 1 Tbsp. matbucha (tomato salad-optional)

• 2 slices fried eggplant

• Hardboiled egg

• A handful of parsley

• ½ chopped onion

• ½ cup diced tomato

Preparation

• Mix the flour, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Pour the water, eggs, oil and mashed potatoes into the mixer bowl.

• Add mixture of the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on top of the liquids.

Put with a kneading hook at speed 1 for 5 minutes. Stop the mixer and add the salt. Continue kneading at speed 2 for another 5 minutes.

• Take the dough out onto the work surface. Transfer the dough to a bowl. Cover with a large plastic wrap and let rise for 2 hours

• Gently remove the dough from the bowl, stretch it into a square and fold each of the corners to the center,

turn the dough over and roll it out. Allow the dough to rest on the surface for about 10 minutes, covered.

• Grease baking paper with a thin layer of oil.

• Divide the dough into 24 pieces, roll out to ping pong size balls and place neatly at intervals on the greased baking paper. Oil each ball again with a thin layer of oil and cover all the balls with plastic wrap. Let the balls raise for about an hour or until the volume doubles.

• In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil in a deep layer for “deep” frying, to mediumhigh heat (for those who have a suitable thermometer, heat the oil to 160 degrees). Lift each ball gently, without damaging its round shape and carefully slide it into the oil with the side that was up in the swelling going into the oil first. Fry 5 to 6 balls in each round of frying. After 2 minutes in the oil, turn the sufganiya using a spoon to fry evenly for 2 minutes.

• Remove the sufganiyot to a colander and let it cool. After the sufganiyot have cooled, cut the sufganiyot in half, spread tahini and matbucha (spicy tomato salad) on both sides, place slices of fried eggplant and slices hardboiled egg.

• Sprinkle with parsley, chopped onion and diced tomato.

• Close the sufgniya and sprinkle tahini on top.

Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can be reached at daliahemed@msn.com.

$50 million landmark Jerusalem campus for the arts officially opens in downtown Jerusalem

Jerusalem — UJA-Federation of New York, in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Foundation and Eden – Jerusalem Economic Development Company, officially opened the $50 million, state-of-the-art Jerusalem Campus for the Arts in downtown Jerusalem on Nov. 3, 2022.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, MK Nir Barkat and Minister of Culture and Sports Hili Tropper joined Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York; the Kirsh family; Robert R. and Sherry H. Wiener; Aharon Feuerstein, director, Nissan Nativ Acting Studio; Maya Levy, director, School of Visual Theatre; Dr. Avi Shoshani, founder and director, School of Middle Eastern Classical Music; Dana Blankstein Cohen, executive director, Sam Spiegel Film & Television School; and more than 100 distinguished guests from New York and Israel for the ribbon cutting at the official grand opening ceremony.

The Jerusalem Campus for the Arts, unprecedented in its nature, unites four premier performing arts schools on one breathtaking, modern campus — creating a new cultural and economic engine in Jerusalem that will attract young arts students and professionals from diverse backgrounds to the city, generating economic growth and fostering pluralism in the Jewish capital.

Spanning nearly 2.5 acres and centrally located on Bezalel Street, the campus

comprises three main buildings housing four of Jerusalem’s leading performing arts schools — Sam Spiegel Film & Television School, Center for Middle Eastern Classical Music, Nissan Nativ Acting Studio and School of Visual Theatre — which were previously spread throughout the city, forming a network of artists in one physical location to meet, collaborate and create.

The campus will enable a large increase in enrollment at the schools, from accommodating several hundred students to thousands of students going forward. The current 2022-2023 school year will be the first full school year for each school.

The campus features several indoor and outdoor spaces that will be used for performances, workshops and other events for the public. Events will kick off over the next several months.

“UJA-Federation is honored to partner with the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Foundation, Eden and all the generous donors who helped make this

momentous project a reality,” said Eric S. Goldstein, UJA CEO. “Our shared vision for the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts is that it anchors a cultural and economic renaissance for the city, encouraging young, diverse families to settle in the area, revitalizing the city and promoting an inclusive society.”

“We are proud to be involved in the creation of this landmark cultural center in the heart of Jerusalem,” said Robert R. Wiener on behalf of himself and his wife, Sherry.

“With the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts, we are putting the historically

unmatched Jerusalem back on the radar as a magnet for students from all backgrounds to study at some of the finest arts schools in the world,” said Mayor Lion.

“The campus will drive new educational and business and tourism opportunities, promoting inclusivity and attracting new, diverse crowds to this great city.”

“The new, amazing, high-end campus will help entice the best students to come study in Jerusalem,” said Aharon Feuerstein of the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio.

“It will be a platform for new, dynamic creatives that will help Jerusalem become the significant cultural center it should be. The campus will enhance connections between the students of all four schools to create the fabric of a powerful community of young artists.”

UJA has contributed more than $17.5 million to the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts through generous gifts from lead donor, the Kirsh Foundation, and the Paulson Family Foundation, Amy A.B. and Robert I. Bressman, Robert R. and Sherry H. Wiener, and the Iranian American Jewish Federation of New York.

The campus was designed by EfratKowalsky Architects.

UJA-Federation of New York announced its support of the project in 2017 as part of its centennial year celebration. It was part of former Mayor Nir Barkat’s vision to make Jerusalem appealing to young people and young families.

IDF Chief of Staff salutes FIDF for 21 years of impact!

Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, program graduates, join annual event for IDF vets receiving college scholarships

Tel Aviv, Israel – On Oct. 20, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) celebrated 21 years of IMPACT!, an elite program that provides college scholarships to IDF veterans, as they welcomed more than 1,000 former combat soldiers into the class of 2022-2023. Held at Tel Aviv University, the event featured dignitaries, supporters and program graduates who wished new students success in the road ahead.

The event featured the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. General Aviv Kochavi, who described the unique training and support the IDF provides to its soldiers and how it prepares them for success in their lives after service. “Your army service laid the groundwork … you have learned self-discipline, teamwork, functioning under pressure, decision-making, how to adjust and what it means to be a warrior. These important lessons, taught for free in Israel, have a hefty price tag at top universities in the U.S.” To new recipients, he said, “We have given you the foundational skills needed for success … now go and make your impact!”

Other speakers at the event included IMPACT! Co-Chairman Mr. Harry Gross (from the U.S.) and Co-Chairman Major General (Ret.) Avi Mizrahi (from Israel). New IMPACT! recipient, Nati Yair, spoke on behalf of all new students, followed by a surprise wedding proposal to his

girlfriend on the stage (She said yes!). IMPACT! graduate Chen Lugasi announced a scholarship donation, and another surprise was in store as her donors, Nicky and Denis Ziman, presented the scholarship to her sister, a new IMPACT! recipient. Nily Falic and Melanie Bronfman were among the guests at the event.

“It has been a dream to run this transformational program for 21 years,” said Orna Pesach, executive director of the IMPACT! program. “The lives changed, and impact made on Israel society, is immeasurable.”

A touching addition to the evening was a performance by the IDF musical ensemble ‘Gdolim Be’madim,’ all of whom are soldiers with special needs — who sang a favorite tune of the Chief of Staff, “Biglal Ha’ruac” (“Because of the spirit”).

FIDF’s four-year scholarships are given to former combat soldiers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, enabling them to achieve their dreams of higher education. This one-of-a-kind program also provides funds to cover soldiers’ living expenses while they study and gives them the unique benefit of direct contact with their FIDF sponsors.

Since the program’s founding in 2002, FIDF has sponsored IDF veterans from 71 countries of origin. Over 92% of IMPACT! recipients graduate successfully, compared to the Israeli national average of 70% to 81% graduation rate. With the success of the program, some 19,300 students and alumni are represented in nearly every field, and dozens are now donors themselves.

In addition, each scholarship recipient completes 130 hours of community service during each year of their scholarship to give back and help others. Since the inception of the program, IMPACT! students have volunteered over 7 million hours of community service, making it the No. 1 scholarship program in providing community service in Israel.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. General Aviv Kochavi. Photo Credit: Igor Finkelstein

The miracles we make for ourselves

happened there. Where? In the Holy Land. When? 139 B.C.E in the times of the Maccabees.

Two major miracles occurred:

1. A few heroic Maccabees won the war against the mighty army of the Syrian Greeks.

A new baby. The flower. Beautiful weather. A stunning bird. Th e ocean. Sunshine. Health.

The list is endless.

As I write these words, our communities are still recovering from the damage and trauma of Hurricane Ian. I’d like to send continued love and support to my dear neighbors and friends who were hurt, and who lost homes or possessions in this devastating event.

Through the pain and heartache, we’re beginning to prepare for Chanukah, a holiday that champions messages of light during the most difficult times.

Chanukah is filled with many insightful messages, but let’s take a look at the iconic dreidel. Yes, that little toy we play with on the early Chanukah nights. “Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of clay …”

There are four letters on a Dreidel. ש ה ג נ, these are first letters of the words Nes Gadol Hayah Sham — a great miracle

2. Oil that should have burnt out after 24 hours, instead lasted for 8 days, until the Jews could arrange for more.

The little Chanukah dreidel tells us that miracles can, and do, happen. It is a message of hope and optimism that we can all take to heart.

Our sages talk about two types of miracles:

1. Miracles that defy the natural order and are awesome to behold. (Such as the Splitting of the Sea and the two Chanukah miracles).

2. Miracles of nature. Nature is a miracle as well. We are just immune to it because we see so much of it.

When the first type of miracle happens, it becomes clear that there is a hidden hand guiding and protecting you. But the miracles of nature are always all around us.

Lighting up Chanukah

Rabbi Ammos Chorny

In an age before electricity, having light at night certainly was no simple matter.

While various forms of illumination as well as styles of lamps were in use, their effectiveness was always limited. Simply put, most people went to bed at nightfall and were up by the crack of dawn.

Of course, on Friday night, this was not feasible; and the Talmud dedicates much of the second chapter of mashechet Shabbat detailing which wicks and oils may and may not be used to kindle the Shabbat (and Chanukah) candles. Due to fear that one might adjust a light on Shabbat, our sages forbade the use of wicks to light the sacramental lights unless the flame was clear and would not flicker. Apparently, such lighting was not cheap, as the Talmud (23b) debates such questions as: Which should take priority, Shabbat or Chanukah candles? Wine for kiddush or Chanukah candles? Procuring both was often prohibitive for many.

No wonder the Talmud makes such a big deal of the various forms of the mitzvah of Chanukah lighting, ranging from one candle per household for each of the eight nights of Chanukah, to our practice of increasing lights both for each day and each member of the household. For us, a few extra candles is no big deal; but for the ancients, this was a luxury few could afford. Perhaps this also sheds light on the relatively detailed discussion as to whether one may use Chanukah candles for other purposes.

Interestingly, the debate on the use of Chanukah candles focuses on whether one “may count money” next to the Chanukah candles. Spending money on lighting would have been a big budget item for many. Shmuel, the third-century Babylonian sage, upon hearing the ruling that one may not count money, exclaims, “Does the light on Chanukah candles have holiness?!”

And while the light itself may not have intrinsic holiness, the Talmudic argument nonetheless concludes that to count money next to the candles would be a bizui mitzvah, showing disdain for the mitzvot. Cost-benefit analysis has little place in mitzvah observance.

For those of us affected by Hurricane Ian last month, this all puts matters further into perspective, not only reminding us of our ultimate frailty, but how difficult it is for us to live without electrical lights. Lighting was a difficult challenge before Thomas Edison, and our sages went to great lengths to insist that we have lights on Shabbat and other holidays, equating such lights with shalom bayit, peace in the home. They went so far as to assert that “one who regularly lights candles will have scholars for children” (ibid).

And their efforts worked. The lighting of Shabbat (and Chanukah) candles is one of the most widely observed mitzvot, despite the fact that the original impetus for the mitzvah — to ensure a well-lit home — is something we (hopefully) have taken for granted; we actually have managed to imbue our lights with “holiness.”

Your way goes our best wishes for a joyful and bright Chanukah celebration.

Chag Urim Sameach!

Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah.

All these things seem “natural,” but what is nature if not the hand of the Creator? The believer sees the touch of G-d in every blade of grass and every baby’s smile.

The challenge to each of us is to dare to see miracles at all times. To see the Divine Providence hiding in plain sight in small and large events.

I said that there are two types of miracles. But, in truth, there is a third type: Miracles by humans.

Yup. When we transcend our nature, we are performing a miracle.

The word in Hebrew for a miracle is “Nes.” That same word, “Nes,” also means “to rise up.” Each time we rise above the instinct of simply looking out for ourselves is a miracle!

Who can count the incredible amount of Chesed in our communities! As a rabbi and chaplain, I stand in awe of the small and large acts of countless individuals who showed up to join the miracles

of kindness that abounded during this period. Even before the flood, my email was inundated with people offering to help. Once the hurricane hit, countless volunteers went beyond the call of duty and trudged through flood waters and debris, taking strangers into their homes, delivering meals and giving a helping hand. Unbelievable kindness.

Our community is second to none in its generosity and goodness.

And this gives me hope that we will emerge from these trying times stronger than before. Human miracles bring down G-d’s miracles.

Yes, life is challenging. Antisemitism is growing, and many societal ills need urgent addressing, but like the Maccabees of thousands of years ago, I stand in faith and hope for better times. Because I believe in miracles from heaven … and I believe in miracles from humans as well.

Wishing you and yours a happy Chanukah!

Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad Jewish Center of Naples.

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Chanukah exposed

Not what you learned in Hebrew school

Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD

During Chanukah, we never say “chag samaach” or “gut yontif.” We don’t say “Chanukah Shalom” like we say “Shabbat Shalom,” nor do we utter any greeting at all other than “Happy Chanukah” or “Chanukah Samaach.” One lesser utilized greeting for Chanukah is “Chag Urim Samaach” or “Happy Festival of Lights.” Why? What makes this holiday so different from all the rest of them during the Jewish year?

First and foremost, the Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication.” It speaks to the dedication of a small band of Jewish rebels who fought to reclaim the Temple for Jewish use from the Syrian Greeks. It also features the hallmark of cleansing and purifying the Temple and rededicating it

back to Jewish service. But the word itself comes from the Hebrew word “Hinuch” or “to teach.” We follow a tradition of incentivizing children to learn Torah by gifting them with “gelt” or gold-wrapped chocolate resembling coins.

Chanukah never falls on the same date in the Gregorian Calendar, but it always falls on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. It is celebrated as an eight-day holiday with the story told that this is because of the great miracle that took place in the Temple after it was cleansed. A small cruse of pure olive oil was found to light the menorah in the Temple, but it was only enough to last one day. Runners were dispatched to find more oil and the great miracle was that the small bit of oil lasted eight days, until more oil was brought to continue the lights of the menorah.

It is a great story to explain the miraculous nature of the festival. It is doubtful that it is true. A more realistic historic explanation of celebrating eight days and nights is that the Maccabees were warring with the Seleucid Greeks during the

summer, fall and into the winter. They were not able to cease fire and celebrate Sukkot, our eight-day harvest festival of thanksgiving. When the Maccabees finally stopped fi ghting, it was in the winter and it was decided that since they never celebrated Sukkot, they would celebrate a later Sukkot, even though it was winter.

We believe that late celebration of Sukkot was the prototype for Chanukah and stuck as a yearly celebration. It became associated with the victory over the Hellenizing Greeks and, thus, became the yearly eight-day holiday known as Chanukah. It was never a present-giving holiday. Only later, because of its relative proximity to Christmas, did Jews begin the custom of giving gifts on Chanukah.

Also because of its proximity to Christmas, Chanukah is thought by many to be the most important of Jewish holidays. Nothing could be further from the truth. On the scale of importance, Chanukah ranks very close to the bottom. It is never mentioned in the Torah because it hadn’t taken place by the time the Torah was

codified and closed. Even the Book of the Maccabees, written in the late second century, is not contained in the Hebrew Bible. What is also interesting is that more Jews celebrate Chanukah than any other single Jewish holiday.

One of the more interesting additions to Chanukah is the use of the game dreidel. There is nothing particular “Chanukaish” about the dreidel other than the fact that it is only taken out at Chanukah time. It is believed that the dreidel was used so that the Jews could study the Torah while fooling the Greeks as the study of Torah was then forbidden. The idea is that they were teaching each other the Torah through oral study, but if the Greeks came upon these games, it just looked like gambling. We aren’t sure if this is true, but it makes a good explanation.

I hope some of these tidbits give you a deeper and more appreciative celebration of this special time.

Chanukah Samaach.

Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD serves at Naples Jewish Congregation

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239.431.3858

Naples Jewish Congregation welcomes back Julie Silver!

the pandemic intervened. She is thrilled to be “back on the road,” after a most trying several years for performers like her.

After a five-year absence, the ebullient Julie Silver, an icon of contemporary Jewish music, is returning in concert on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, to grace the Naples Jewish Congregation (NJC) stage. Silver last regaled us with her unique blend of joyous song and heartfelt storytelling in February 2018. She has wanted to return to Naples for some time now, but

Many of us are familiar with the arc of Silver’s career as one of the most celebrated and beloved of today’s contemporary Jewish music performers. She has created some of the most successful and bestselling albums of original contemporary Jewish music, her songs becoming “standards” in camp, worship and academic settings.

She has collaborated with other Jewish singers and songwriters, participating in social action/social justice projects dedicated to making the Jewish experience more meaningful and seeking to make the world a better place. Silver’s focus has often been

on those who have historically been marginalized in our society, seeking to bring all into the tent of inclusion and acceptance.

I had the privilege of speaking with Silver about her life, her career, making Jewish music and coming back to Naples. While she was raised in a home awash in music, her passion for sharing Jewish music with others was forged by the confluence of wonderful art and music teachers in the public schools of Newton, Massachusetts. These include Aline Shader, the loving tutelage of Rabbi Robert Miller of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, Silver’s spiritual birthplace and Camp Pembroke in Pembroke, Massachusetts. As a teenager, at temple and at camp, Silver picked up a guitar and began singing and song leading. She knew immediately that her love of Jewish music would define the rest of her life.

Over the years, as a songwriter and performer of contemporary Jewish music, Silver has had the good fortune to be mentored by, and collaborate with, Jewish music luminaries such as Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, Craig Taubman, Noah Aronson, Dan Nichols, and others. She now mentors others, l’dor v’dor.

Silver told me that she can’t believe the years that have literally flown by in worship and service to making connections with

others through Jewish music, remarking that the greatest gift bestowed upon her has been the opportunity to travel and meet with people, building community by making connections through song. Silver believes that music points us to love, respect and compassion for others and is the glue that seals all of us together. Her mission is to channel her Jewish values through her music, always seeking community with others.

Silver exudes an irrepressible yearning to connect with others through her love of Jewish music. She is imbued with an enthusiasm borne of music’s capacity to provoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, empathy and humanity. She is ecstatic about returning to Naples to revel in bringing our community together in song.

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. to join us at NJC for a memorable evening with Julie Silver. This is what you can expect — an exquisitely beautiful, at times achingly wistful and playfully whimsical, blending of the lyrical and the spiritual in song, pouring forth from the wellspring of Silver’s heart and soul, with love, compassion and empathy always in the forefront, suffused with unbridled joy and thoughtful grace. It will be a magical music experience that you will not soon forget.

Steve McCloskey

Temple Shalom’s One Family responds to Hurricane Ian with loving acts of kindness

By Deborah R. Fidel, JD, MAJPS

“Upon three things the world stands: on Torah, on service (prayer) and on acts of loving kindness.” (Pirkei Avot 1:2)

Before the hurricane even hit our area, Temple Shalom’s One Family sprang into action. Since the storm passed, it has been a flurry of activity as our members, Bruce and Carol Sherman, chairs of the “Rainbow of Hope” project, got organized and mobilized to assist our members and community. Here are some examples of the acts of lovingkindness performed.

Led by Tussy Shnider, our dedicated team of helpers called our most elderly members to make sure that everyone had a plan to be safe for the duration of the natural disaster.

Immediately after the storm, we sent a survey to the whole congregation to gather information about who needed what and who could provide assistance.

Temple Board member Jessica Rosen then organized the information to help us coordinate our response.

Members opened their doors to neighbors and friends needing power, a hot shower or a dry space. Let me take this opportunity to personally thank Rabbi Boxman and her husband, Asher, for so graciously opening their home to my husband, Bob, our yellow Labrador and me, when we had no electricity and water. Some who own rental homes even gave their properties to other members with nowhere to go — at no cost. Past president and realtor, Debbie Zvibleman, graciously helped members find new homes and rentals.

In the days after the storm, Rabbi Miller and his family oversaw a collection of more than 10 truckloads of supplies for the shelter in Lee County. Since that time, we have held three additional collections, filling 24 additional vans with small household appliances, towels, cleaning supplies, air mattresses, personal hygiene items and new clothes for the residents of several hard-hit areas.

Lisa Lauber, Di Karpman and a couple other members of our Havurah made multiple trips to River Park and Harmony Shores Mobile Home Park to deliver cleaning supplies and stacks of piping hot pizzas, donated by Alta Villa Pizza and Trattoria, as people gathered to collect what they needed to repair their homes.

Others comforted their friends after tragic losses by bringing lunch, flowers and good cheer and began helping them to literally pick up the pieces as they sorted through their belongings and carried them out to the curb.

Cantor Azu’s volunteer drivers delivered catered dinners to affected members to raise their spirits and let them know One Family cares about them.

Dozens of Temple members pack thousands of nutritious meals with our partners from Meals of Hope every week, in an ongoing effort chaired by Bruce Sherman.

My Havurah led a food drive for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Veora Little led a team to Sheltering Pines, a mobile home park on San Carlos Island, to pull up floors and knock out dry wall for people whose homes were severely damaged.

Even our teens are showing up for One Family! Sophia Baer and mom, Claudia, and Zachary and Sammy Sissman, with mom (and immediate past president), Daryl, have cleaned up members’ homes and property damaged beyond repair.

In response to the blood shortage in our hospitals, resulting from the influx of patients from Lee County, Jane Perman arranged a blood drive so that members and neighbors could share in the mitzvah of giving life.

Temple Shalom’s talented clergy, Rabbi Miller, Cantor Azu and Rabbi Boxman led a healing service that soothed and comforted those in attendance and on livestream.

Arline Kaplan, Ph.D. and Leslie Wasserman, M.A. shared their services as counselors in an informative session about the effects of trauma on our lives and well-being.

Many, many members gave financial assistance for those struggling after this natural disaster. To date, we have collected over $30,000!

Working in partnership with other synagogues in our region, we are channeling resources to replace damaged equipment at the Temple Beth El preschool in Fort Myers.

And last, but certainly not least, Bobbie Katz is overseeing a group of wonderful note writers, to let all our donors know how much their gifts mean to those affected by the storm.

I am certain that I have forgotten some of the mitzvahs and the mensches who performed them but know that your acts of lovingkindness are a credit to the Jewish community of Southwest Florida. Thank you, one and all, for all you have done, for all you do and for all you continue to do to support each other and our fellow Floridians. Hurricane Ian may have knocked us down, but it didn’t knock us out, thanks to you!

www.chabadnaples.com

Community celebrations, learning and service

extend the campus, increasing facilities to enable much-needed additional preschool and Hebrew school classrooms, expanded summer camp, and new spaces for community events.

Community

Chanukah celebration

Our massive 19th annual Chanukah celebration is scheduled to take place on Monday, Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m. at Cambier Park. This year’s theme is Chanukah at the Carnival, and the entire community is invited to join! It’s a joyous event for children and adults to kick off Chanukah with a bang. Mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss out! If you need any Chanukah items –– menorah, candles, etc. — we are here to help.

Adult education

We are in the middle of our current course, What’s your biggest question on G-d? We’ve been blown away by the attendance and level of engagement. We are having an amazing time asking the big questions about G-d and life as we know it, and you can, too! It’s not too late to join us for the three remaining weeks. Each lesson is relatively independent, so you’ll find them highly informative without feeling like you missed out. Pop in for the remainder of this course and get a taste of the next course. Beginning in January, we will learn Book Smart: Course Through Judaism’s Most Important Titles and the Authors Who Inscribed Them. A panoramic overview of 3,000 years of Jewish learning, this course introduces you to the works that earned us the title “The People of The Book.” You will experience the different genres that shape Jewish life, including Tanach, Midrash, Talmud, Halachah, Philosophy, Kabbalah, Musar and Chasidism, and meet the influential personalities who drove 30 centuries of Jewish scholarship. Whether you’re meeting these texts for the first time or as a seasoned scholar, this course will inform and enrich your Jewish learning.

The Big Build has begun!

Chabad of Naples and Preschool of the Arts has launched a capital campaign to

“The Big Build” is a $6 million community-inspired and community-funded effort. Jay and Patty Baker lead the way with a $2 million challenge grant. We need your help to unlock it: when we raise $2 million from caring members like you, the Bakers will match it! Help us make this a reality! Please visit www.NaplesBigBuild.com for more information or reach out!

Israel trip

We invite you to join us on a Chabad Naples community trip to Israel this spring, March 13-20, 2023. Come see the Holy Land in style! Enjoy a weeklong VIP experience of sights, sounds and tastes that will deepen your connection to Judaism and the land our forefathers and mothers called home. This five-star excursion won’t be the same without you!

Minyan

If you have a yahrzeit or need to say Kaddish, we are always here to help make a minyan during the week. We are so grateful to those who help us with this minyan service when called. There have been so many minyanim during the week, and it is amazing to see how the community comes together for each other.

Chabad Naples community care

Chabad of Naples has a special committee of professionals and lay volunteers who are available and trained to visit any one in need. If you know someone in the hospital or at home who would appreciate a visit, especially before the High Holidays, please call 239-261-0772.

Shabbat and Kiddush

Shabbat services at Chabad Naples are very popular. One of the weekly highlights has always been the Kiddush luncheon, sponsored every week by a family. The Torah service begins at 11 a.m. and includes the Rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading, which always have a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message.

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239.434.1818

Antisemitism

Steven Chizzik President

Regular readers of my column might remember that in the July issue of the Federation Star, I devoted my entire column to discussing antisemitism in Southwest Florida and how pervasive it was becoming. I wrote that piece in the hope that public condemnation of racism and bigotry would help make this world a better place. I was praying that the more this poisonous rhetoric was exposed, the closer we would come to ending it.

Since that column, in late October, rapper and songwriter Ye (formally known as Kanye West) made disgraceful and obnoxious public rants about going “Death Con 3 on Jewish people” as well as other hateful antisemitic remarks, which actually brought this disgrace to the attention of worldwide media. Ye further stated, “I could say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me” (Adidas being the shoe company that was generating huge royalties for Ye). People close to Kanye West have now said that Ye has had a fascination and admiration of Hitler.

Well guess what? Not only did Adidas drop Ye and its Yeezy line of footwear, but it ended production of all Yeezy branded products and halted all payments to Ye and any of his companies. Although Adidas was, by far, Ye’s largest revenue source (valued at $1.5 billion), he was additionally dropped by Gap, Balenciaga, his talent agency, CAA, JP Morgan, TJ Maxx, Vogue, Peloton and others.

In its statement, Adidas stated, “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” continuing, “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”

Adidas and all the other companies that have dropped Ye have made a clear

statement that bigotry and racism cannot be a part of America. The fact that Ye was an icon to our younger generation made his antisemitic rhetoric even worse. It is now up to all of us to continue to call out all acts of antisemitism. Silence is unacceptable; it is only through our exposure of this hatred that we stand a chance of halting it.

Happy Chanukah to all!

Please see the calendar below to view all the great events that are taking place at Beth Tikvah this month.

• Dec. 1, 7 p.m. – Jeff Margolis lecture; Camp Boardwalk, Atlantic City during WWII

• Every Tuesday, 12:15 p.m. –Rabbi Chorny’s Lunch and Learn via Zoom

• Dec. 18, 7 p.m. – Chanukah celebration with Cantor Brody and Harvey Jacobson

• Dec. 25, 10 a.m. – Women’s Rosh Chodesh

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and Zoom

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. via Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

Please check the Beth Tikvah website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org, for details of all our events.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.

Again, I would like to remind you that Beth Tikvah is off ering new members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us.

Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Alliker President

October was a busy month at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. High Holiday services dominated the month, interrupted by Hurricane Ian. Fortunately, the Temple survived the hurricane without any damage. The only disruption was our internet services,

which has since been restored. Yom Kippur services were held as scheduled with a Congregational Breakthe-Fast dinner following the services. Sukkoth Services and Simchat Torah were observed.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID19 precautions, bingo started again at

JCMI. Played every Monday evening, the games feature an included kosher hot dog dinner. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and all are welcome.

At the time of this writing, planning is underway for an Interfaith Unity Service on Nov. 22, and a Community Chanukah Celebration on Dec. 21.

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Stan

Gratitude, love and thankfulness

By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

The last two months of the calendar year always seem to be the busiest! Throughout November and December, schedules are packed to the brim, Naples is buzzing with peak activity and there is a wonderful holiday spirit in the air.

At Preschool of the Arts, we look at the start of the holiday season as a chance to bring together our entire community for special events and celebrations. We know that the largest educational gains occur when teachers, students and parents work together toward the same goals. Creating a joyous community atmosphere for our students and their families allows community members to greet one another in social settings, fostering stronger and deeper relationships that benefit all.

Our holiday season’s programming started with a bang with our grand annual Thanksgiving performance in Cambier Park. Every year, the Thanksgiving celebration is one of our preschool’s largest celebrations as family and friends gather to watch their little ones perform a beautiful medley of songs and admire their artistic handiwork.

Our theme this year was “Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice” – and everything was quite nice, indeed! As always, the theme of the day focused on gratitude and being present for the multitude of blessings in our lives. Parents, grandparents and extended family enjoyed a fabulous children’s performance that did us all proud and allowed our entire community to share the holiday spirit of thankfulness and camaraderie. A special video presentation highlighting the “spice” and spirit of learning at POTA was enjoyed by all.

Throughout the month, our curriculum focused on gratitude and appreciation, specifically the themes of “We Can Make a Difference” and “Caring Community.” Many of our classes read the book, “Circles,” by Brad Montague, together as a class. This book emphasizes creating caring communities, beginning with the love within your heart, and expanding the circles around you to welcome and care for all.

After reading the book together, students discussed diff erent ways they can care for each other and those in our community and brainstormed ways to show kindness and caring in school and at home. Our teachers introduced our new Giving Project for the month (a theme that will be woven in throughout the year), where children prepared

homemade treats for the dogs and cats who reside in shelters in our community. The special treats were then delivered to the Humane Society of Naples and to Purradise Gardens.

At Preschool of the Arts, gratitude is not simply a value we give lip service to, but an integral part of our program, deeply ingrained into our school culture. While we teach gratitude every day at our preschool, the Thanksgiving holiday really brings the message to the fore. It is the perfect opportunity to stop and remind ourselves how blessed we are and express our heartfelt gratitude to our community, our dedicated and loving staff, our caring and involved parents and, of course, the children who bring us such joy, teaching us more about love and thankfulness than we can ever teach them.

In a note of gratitude, I am proud to share that POTA has won the Best of Naples 2022 awards in the preschool, childcare and after-school summer camp categories! We are so humbled and grateful to our community for voting for us and for the beautiful acknowledgment and trust they have placed in us all these years.

We look forward to celebrating our community at Chabad and POTA’s annual Chanukah Festival on Dec. 19. We have a fantastic “Chanukah in the Circus” extravaganza planned, with performers, rides, activities, holiday treats, and so much more! Our POTA children’s performance is always a highlight of the event, which gets bigger and better each season! While the excitement of “the greatest party on Earth” will surely draw a crowd, we are positive that our students will be the stars of the show, shining their inner light forth, brighter than the candles of the Chanukah menorah!

TEMPLE SHALOM

www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

Fun Channukah activities you can do at home

By Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Director of Lifelong Learning

Channukah is approaching and we are so excited to celebrate as a community. Below we provide some fun family activities that can be done at home! Enjoy.

Make a pasta menorah for Channukah

Make a menorah for Channukah out of dry pasta! It is both usable and beautiful,

and, most of all, fun to make. Simply glue some rigatoni pasta onto a flat lasagna noodle, then spray paint with silver acrylic paint. Add your candles and enjoy! Check out this link for more detailed instructions: https://tinyurl.com/pastamenorah.

Host a latke tasting

Latkes (potato pancakes) are traditionally made with shredded potatoes. However, they can also be made with all sorts of alternatives. Try a few different recipes and see which ones your children like best! My favorites include

sweet potato and zucchini. However, I am excited to try onion and cauliflower this year! Check out this link, https:// tinyurl.com/ latkerecipes2022, for some fun ideas to try!

Make Channukah slime!

Slime is all the rage right now for our littles! And now is a great opportunity to do a science experiment and learn about Channukah at the same time. Make sure to store it in an airtight container so that it can be used over and over again. Check out the recipe and instructions here: https://tinyurl.com/hannukahslime.

Perform an act of lovingkindness

While it is especially fun to receive gifts on Channukah, it is also a wonderful time to teach children about the importance of giving back to others. Instead of giving gifts to your children on all eight nights, dedicate one night as a special night to give to others. On this night, do a community service project as a family. Fun family community service projects include assembling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a local shelter, cleaning out closets and donating used clothing and toys to Goodwill, and making homemade dog toys and giving to a local animal shelter.

We hope you enjoy these Channukah activities for you and your family! Wishing you a sweet and happy holiday.

CHABAD FGCU www.Chabadfgcu.com / 347.452.0489

Jewish student life

This semester for Jewish students at FGCU has been amazing

By Rabbi Mendel Gordon

We had services on campus for Rosh Hashana and, despite campus being evacuated in the middle of Rosh Hashana, many students delayed leaving town to join the inspiring and special Rosh Hashana dinner at Chabad.

We stick together and are there for each other in all circumstances.

During the hurricane, students stayed over at Chabad. And following the

hurricane, we continued to have food for the students until things got more back to normal.

For sukkot, FGCU is one of the most Jewish schools in the country. We had three sukkot set up on campus. One on main campus and one by each dorm, making being Jewish as accessible as possible.

For simchas Torah, we joined Chabad of Bonita Springs for the dancing and

Federation Star Publication Policy

The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of JFGN. Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of Federation as well as ongoing activities of recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples.

The goal of JFGN is to reach out and unite all Jews of the Greater Naples area. While differing opinions and points of view exist on many issues of importance

to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing only items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and offer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose.

Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will not be published.

To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among

Candle lighting times

Dec. 2: 5:16 p.m.

Dec. 9: 5:17 p.m.

Dec. 16: 5:20 p.m.

Dec. 23: 5:23 p.m.

Dec. 30: 5:27 p.m.

celebration with the Torah, at which the students had an amazing time.

Following the holiday season, we are back in full swing with Torah classes, shabbats and social events, with a climax of the year being our shabbaton in New York City in November, where 14 FGCU Jews joined 1,300 Jewish students from around the world for a shabbat of a lifetime. I will share more of that in next month’s article.

For the first time ever in Fort Myers, in preparation for Chanukah, we are planning a Menorah car parade around campus on Dec. 5, showing our Jewish pride. Look out for more information regarding that.

Chabad at FGCU services Jewish students at FGCU and surrounding colleges. For more information, reach out to Rabbi Mendel Gordon at 347-452-0489 or chabadfgcu@gmail.com.

our people, the Officers and Board of Trustees of Federation have adopted the following publication policy:

Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the advertising manager, subject to the approval of the Federation board.

Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairs) of established and recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and the designated chairs of the regular committees of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from

established Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and may, at the discretion of the Federation board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above.

News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross section of the Jewish community will be accepted for publication.

Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view about political issues will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Officers and Trustees.

All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chair shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Officers and Board of Trustees of JFGN.

TEMPLE SHALOM

OF NAPLES (Reform)

4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119

Phone: 455.3030  Fax: 455.4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org

Rabbi Adam Miller, MAHL Cantor Donna Azu, MSM

Rabbi Ariel Boxman, MAHL, MARE, Director of Lifelong Learning

Rabbi James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Deborah Rosen Fidel, J.D., MAJPS, Executive Director Len Teitelbaum, President Jim Cochran, Music Director

Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m.

Sisterhood Men’s Club

Adult Education Havurot Youth Groups Religious School Judaic Library Hebrew School Preschool Adult Choir Social Action Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262.4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Education Director

Shabbat Services

Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m.

Camp Gan Israel Hebrew School Preschool of the Arts Jewish Women’s Circle Adult Education Bat Mitzvah Club

Friendship Circle Smile on Seniors Flying Challah Kosher food delivery

CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO

24611 Production Circle Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Phone: 239-949-6900

Email: chabad@jewishbonita.com Website: www.JewishBonita.com

Rabbi Mendy & Luba Greenberg Co-directors

Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. Shabbat 10 a.m.

Adult Education

Challah of Love Community Events

Daily Minyan Services

Hebrew School Kosher Grocery Kosher Meals on Wheels Smile on Seniors

JEWISH CONGREGATION

OF MARCO ISLAND (Reform) 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145

Phone: 642.0800  Fax: 642.1031

Email: tboxma@marcojcmi.com Website: www.marcojcmi.com

Rabbi Mark Gross Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Stan Alliker, President

Shabbat Services

Friday 7:30 p.m.

Seasonal: Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m.

Rabbi’s Lifelong Learning Series

Sidney R. Hoffman Jewish Film Festival Saul I. Stern Cultural Series JCMI Book Club

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

(Reform)

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Howard Herman 431.3858

Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org www.naplesjewishcongregation.org Charles Flum, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

Shabbat Services Friday evenings 7 p.m. May - August: services once a month Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

BETH TIKVAH (Conservative)

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

(just west of Mission Square Plaza) Phone: 434.1818

Email: office@bethtikvah.us Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org

Rabbi Ammos Chorny Steve Chizzik, President Roberta Miller, Secretary

Shabbat Services

Friday evenings 6:15 p.m. Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m. Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Greater Naples

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Phone: 263.4205  Fax: 263.3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org

• Federation Board Chair: Jane Schiff

• Federation President/CEO: Jeffrey Feld

American Jewish Committee

Regional Dir: Brian Lipton, 941.365.4955

American Technion Society

Chapter Dir: Kelley Whiter, 561.395.7206

Friends of the IDF Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305.354.8233

GenShoah SWFL 263.9200

Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah President: Joyce Toub, 518.330.1559

Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Chairperson: Stuart Price President/CEO: Susan Suarez, 263.9200

Israel Bonds Monica DiGiovanni, 727.282.1124

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida President: Marina Berkovich, 566.1771

Jewish National Fund Joshua Mellits, 941.462.1330 x865

Jewish War Veterans Post 202 Commander, Harvey Sturm, 261.3270

Men’s Cultural Alliance

President: Michael Sobol, 508.733.9427

Naples BBYO Shelly Bell, 313.550.3313

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA)

SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954.457.9766

Naples Senior Center at JFCS Phone: 325.4444

Chairperson: Prentiss Higgins President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

PJ Library

Coordinator: Alicia Feldman www.jewishnaples.org/pj-library

Women’s Cultural Alliance President: Patti Boochever, 518.852.3440

Zionist Organization of America President: Jerry Sobel, 914.329.1024